Cause for Optimism?
adminNoncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) comprise Diabetes, Cancer, Heart, and Lung Diseases resulting from exposure to the shared risk factors of Diet high in sugar, salt, and fat; physical inactivity; tobacco use; and harmful use of alcohol!
NCDs are included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations with the 33 x 30 promise: “by 2030 reduce by one third [relative to 2015 levels] premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.”
By delivering on this there is the promise of alleviation of suffering, bringing comfort, and saving lives and potential. To date, only 15 countries are projected to achieve that target.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), unlike Communicable Diseases (CDs), largely hinge on individual actions. While the environment does play a significant role, it is within an individual’s power to influence or change their lifestyle choices. Unlike CDs, there are no external causes or viruses infiltrating your system. With NCDs, the responsibility rests squarely on the individual, and this presents a cause for optimism.
The prevailing misconception has been comparing NCDs to CDs and nurturing a victim mentality that they don’t receive enough funding or attention. Instead, we should focus on the inherent characteristics that make NCD prevention and control more manageable. Rather than lamenting the absence of a magic vaccine for NCDs, we should celebrate the fact that we don’t need one. There are better, sustainable solutions that not only prevent NCDs but also enable individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Dying is a universal inevitability, but living is a matter of choice. NCD prevention doesn’t merely delay the occurrence of death; it empowers people to savor life to the fullest. The development of NCDs is a gradual process, as is the path to their ultimate outcome. Chronicity characterizes NCDs, which offers ample opportunities for intervention, risk reduction, disease control, and the preservation of one’s potential and life.
What’s heartening is that NCD prevention and control are not solely the domain of healthcare. It’s a shared responsibility that involves every sector. While it might seem overwhelming, the benefit lies in the fact that it demands a multi-sectoral approach. The challenge is not in gaining agreement across sectors but in shifting the focus from health benefits alone to benefits for other sectors of government and for the individual.
To make this shift, we must define the advantages for various sectors and individuals, not limited to health alone. For example, encouraging young people to make healthy choices doesn’t just impact their well-being; it enhances their image and career prospects. For adults, managing NCDs doesn’t only ensure longevity; it fosters better opportunities in life. The spectrum of benefits needs to be outlined comprehensively to motivate a broader audience.
Consider this: my daughter chooses to eat cucumbers not just for health but also for her image and beauty. Similarly, my nephew decides to quit smoking, recognizing that it hampers his performance as he prepares to join the army. Health isn’t an endpoint; it’s a resource for life. This change in perspective is pivotal in shaping a world where NCD prevention and control are the norm, not the exception.
In essence, NCDs offer us the chance to take control of our own destinies and savor life to the fullest. By broadening the perspective to include the benefits to various sectors and individuals, we can collectively work towards a world where NCDs are preventable, manageable, and, most importantly, enable everyone to live their lives to the fullest.
