Noncommunicable diseases and mental health

UN high-level meeting on NCD prevention and control

19-20 September 2011 -- The four main noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) - cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes - kill three in five people worldwide, and cause great socioeconomic harm within all countries, particularly developing nations. The decision by the UN General Assembly to convene a high-level meeting on NCDs on 19-20 September 2011 presents a unique opportunity for the intenational community to take action against the epidemic, save millions of lives and enhance development initiatives.

Four diseases

    * Cancer
    * Cardiovascular diseases
    * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    * Diabetes

Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010

    Of the 57 million global deaths in 2008, 36 million, or 63%, were due to NCDs, principally cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. As the impact of NCDs increases, and as populations age, annual NCD deaths are projected to continue to rise worldwide, and the greatest increase is expected to be seen in low- and middle-income regions.

    While popular belief presumes that NCDs afflict mostly high-income populations, the evidence tells a very different story. Nearly 80% of NCD deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries and NCDs are the most frequent causes of death in most countries, except in Africa. Even in African nations, NCDs are rising rapidly and are projected to exceed communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases as the most common causes of death by 2030.