The WHO has identified various strategies that should be adopted by all including governments to reduce early deaths from a variety of non-communicable diseases –the NCDs. The proposals cover taxes for those foods considered as junk and reducing dietary salt levels.
The WHO has nine major global targets as published in its commissioned report ‘Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2014’. The NCDS cover strokes and heart disease, cancer, diabetes and neurological diseases. There are said to be 38 million deaths from NCDs of which it is thought 42% or 16 million are premature and also avoidable. This was a rise from 14.6 million reported in 2000. It reported that 60% of all deaths in India are due to NCDs. The requirement is to cut such deaths by 25% in 2025 from the 2010 baseline.
The report covers nine voluntary targets such as reducing salt intake, reducing blood pressure or hypertension, raising the level of physical activity, minimising tobacco and alcohol abuse. The WHO also suggests banning advertising for alcohol, raising awareness through public advertising on physical exercise and dieting and replacing trans fats with polyunsaturated fats.
One of the most insightful requests I to reduce salt intake. The report covers efforts made in various countries which have involved redevelopment of high salt foods with salt alternatives or reduced salt. Bread and ready meals in the States is one clear example.
In low and middle income countries, the high disease and death rates are claimed to be due to under investment in NCD interventions. The WHO would like all governments to commit to national reductions in NCD targets with cost-effective interventions for preventing and controlling such diseases. One notable exception to the trend in rising death rates is Brazil where the mortality rate declined 1.8% per year because of better primary health care.
Dr Margaret Chan, the WHO Director-General is quoted as saying that ‘the global community has the chance to change the course of the NCD epidemic.” By investing just 1-3 US dollars per person per year, countries can dramatically reduce illness and death from NCDs. In 2015, every country needs to set national targets and implement cost-effective actions. If they do not, millions of lives will continue to be lost too soon.”
Reference:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/noncommunicable-diseases/en/
Appendix: The Nine global NCD targets are:-
The 9 global NCD targets are:
Target 1: A 25% relative reduction in risk of premature mortality from CVDs, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases.
Target 2: At least 10% relative reduction in the harmful use of alcohol, as appropriate, within the national context.
Target 3: A 10% relative reduction in prevalence of insufficient physical activity.
Target 4: A 30% relative reduction in mean population intake of salt/sodium.
Target 5: A 30% relative reduction in prevalence of current tobacco use in persons aged 15+ years.
Target 6:A 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of raised blood pressure or contain the prevalence of raised blood pressure, according to national circumstances.
Target 7: Halt the rise in diabetes and obesity.
Target 8: At least 50% of eligible people receive drug therapy and counselling (including glycaemic control) to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Target 9: An 80% availability of the affordable basic technologies and essential medicines, including generics, required to treat major NCDs in both public and private facilities.
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