Global Attention is on COVID-19, but what about Noncommunicable Diseases?
Global Health

Global Attention is on COVID-19, but what about Noncommunicable Diseases?

By August 12, 2020 43 Comments

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) currently contribute more to global mortality than all other(1) causes combined. NCDs disproportionately affect people in LMICs as more than three (2,3) quarters of deaths by NCDs occur here NCDs have rapidly increased (4,5). In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the prevalence of. Specifically in Tanzania, 41% of all deaths are due to NCDs, 37% of total disability-adjusted life years in 2017 were from NCDs, and 65% of years lived with (6,7) disability were due to NCDs (Figure 1). Hypertension and diabetes are the most prevalent NCDs in Tanzania. In this paper, I will analyze and describe the current ways in which Tanzania is tackling NCDs, with an emphasis on hypertension and diabetes, and the potential challenges that this country still faces from the burden of these diseases.

Hypertension is the most common NCD in Tanzania and has the highest prevalence in(8) (9) rural areas. In 2012, the overall prevalence of hypertension was 26%. The prevalence of (9) diabetes in urban areas has increased from 5% in 2007 to 9% in 2012. These rates need to be reduced to achieve the WHO target of reducing premature death from NCDs by 25% by (10) 2025. This will be challenging and depends on addressing risk factors associated with NCDs which has been fueled by the socio-demographic transition, rapid urbanization, and lifestyle (9,11) changes. Some of the largest risk factors for diabetes and hypertension include diet, (12) smoking, physical inactivity, and excess alcohol use.

To learn what Tanzania is doing to address these burdens read more here: Noncommunicable diseases, Tanzania

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