Vang 1 Mike Vang Mr.

Coey English 10 Honors 11 January 2013 The Biggest Killer All too often, victims of non-communicable diseases are diagnosed at late stages that require high-cost treatment and crucial care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) responsible for the United Nations health system, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases are in most cases, non-transmittable diseases of long duration and generally slow progression (Noncommunicable Diseases 2011). The Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases states that such diseases are mainly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases (9). The WHO confirms that NCDs account for nearly two thirds or sixty-three percent of deaths in the world, more than thirty-six million annually (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 9). In the next decade, the number of deaths is expected to rise by fifteen to twenty percent worldwide (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 9). To prevent, to control, and to halt the amount of deaths, individual behavioral adjustments must be made first before the issues of national policies and plans. There are four main behavioral causes for non-communicable diseases: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets (Noncommunicable Diseases 2011). In the next decade, tobacco is expected to be responsible for ten percent of all deaths, rising from six million to eight million (Global

Vang 2 Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 1). Tobacco causes about 71% of lung cancer, 42% of chronic respiratory disease and nearly 10% of cardiovascular disease (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 1). The lack of exercise or physical activity results in the deaths of nearly 3.2 million individuals annually (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 1). Physical inactivity contributes to an increase in diabetes and blood pressure which can result in strokes and heart attacks (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 1). The use of alcohol kills close to 2.3 million people every year (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2). Alcohol can cause cancers and cardiovascular diseases related to the liver (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2). An unhealthy diet resulting from a lack of fruits and vegetables leads to 3.2 million deaths each year (Noncommunicable Diseases). An unhealthy diet can cause cancers such as colon cancer or stomach cancer (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2). It can also cause cardiovascular diseases by increasing blood pressure from high sodium consumption or high consumptions of certain fats such as saturated fats (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2). Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet both contribute to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, resulting in risks of having heart diseases and strokes (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 2). Both also result in increases in hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) and hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood) (Noncommunicable Diseases 2011). Noncommunicable diseases can be considerably reduced and prevented if its four main risk factors can be reduced and prevented. Limiting and preventing non-communicable diseases is a major priority not only

Vang 3 because it kills millions, but also because of its financial effects on budgets and incomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a government organization devoted to preventing diseases and protecting health, NCDs cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year, and limit the activities of tens of millions more Americans (CDC 2011). Governments of nations around the world agree that NCDs decrease the national income and productiveness of nations (UN High-level Meeting on NCDs 2). This is the result of thirty percent of NCD deaths in developing countries and thirteen percent of NCD deaths in developed countries occurring under the age of sixty (UN High-level Meeting on NCDs 3). Millions of people fall into poverty, paying the cost of health care with their household income (UN High-level Meeting on NCDs 3). Poverty increases and more suffering continue. To intervene with these countless numbers of deaths, the behavioral risk factors of NCDs must be dealt with, as well as intensifying and carrying out national policies and plans. Public awareness must first be made of the risk factors of NCDs to form health programs and promotions to inform of nutrition, physical activity, and the use of tobacco and alcohol (UN High-level Meeting on NCDs 4). Health systems must then be strengthened by having trained workers and access to medicines and technologies that are affordable (UN High-level Meeting on NCDs 8). Taxes on tobacco and alcohol can be raised and reductions of salt and trans-fat in product should be made (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 4). Guidelines and programs for healthy diets in schools, communities, and workplaces can also be made to promote fitness (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 4). There should also be early detection and screening to prevent cancers and protections and bans against carcinogens, cancer-

Vang 4 causing agents (Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases 54). Nations must cooperate together to protect the health of their people. Nations of the world must truly unite to defeat the issue of non-communicable diseases. If the world stays passive and unaware, only more and more lives will be lost. NCDs must be put to a halt at its roots: its risk factors of tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet (Noncommunicable Diseases 2011). The nations of the world must then provide the funding, research, medical care, equipment, and workers to save lives.

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Vang 5 Works Cited "The Problem of Noncommunicable Diseases and CDC's Role in Combating Them." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Sept. 2011. Web. 21 Jan. 2013.

World Health Organization. Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases. N.p.: n.p., Apr. 2011. PDF.

World Health Organization. "Noncommunicable Diseases." WHO. World Health Organization, Sept. 2011. Web. 21 Jan. 2013.

World Health Organization. UN High-level Meeting on NCDs. N.p.: World Health Organization, 2011. PDF.