|
|
|
|
|
| Summary |
The Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases is the first
report on the worldwide epidemic of cardiovascular diseases, cancer,
diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, along with their risk factors
and determinants. Noncommunicable diseases killed 36 million people
in 2008, and a large proportion of these deaths occurred before the age
of 60, so during the most productive period of life. The magnitude of
these diseases continues to rise, especially in low- and middle-income
countries.
This report reviews the current status of noncommunicable
diseases and provides a roadmap for reversing the epidemic by
strengthening national and global monitoring and surveillance,
scaling up the implementation of evidence-based measures to reduce
risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and
harmful alcohol use, and improving access to cost-effective healthcare
interventions to prevent complications, disabilities and premature
death. This report, and subsequent editions, also provide a baseline
for future monitoring of trends and for assessing the progress Member
States are making to address the epidemic.
The Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases was developed as part of the
implementation of the 2008-2013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy
for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, which
was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2008. |
|
|
