Noncommunicable diseases kill more people than ever: WHO

Noncommunicable diseases account for seven of the 10 leading causes of death in the world, a sharp increase from two decades ago, and heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, according to a new study from the World Organization. of Health (WHO).

“These new estimates are another reminder that we must rapidly accelerate the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“They highlight the urgency of dramatically improving primary health care in an equitable and holistic manner.”

Tedros also underscored the importance of strong primary health care to combat noncommunicable diseases and the coronavirus pandemic.

People living with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, are at increased risk of complications and death from COVID-19.

The study covers the years 2000 to 2019, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The next update of the estimates will include an assessment of the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on mortality and morbidity.

According to the WHO, heart disease has remained the leading cause of death globally for the past 20 years, but is now killing more people than ever, accounting for 16 percent of all deaths from all causes. .

The number of deaths from heart disease more than quadrupled, from two million since 2000 to nearly nine million in 2019.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, with deaths from diabetes increasing by 70 percent globally between 2000 and 2019.

The findings also pointed to a global decline in deaths from communicable diseases, although they remain a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries. Deaths from tuberculosis, for example, were reduced by about 30 percent.