10 facts on noncommunicable diseases

Updated March 2013

WHO/C. de Bode

Noncommunicable - or chronic - diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression.
The four main types of noncommunicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and
stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma)
and diabetes.

Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, are by far the leading cause of death in the world, representing
63% of all annual deaths. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill more than 36 million people each year.
Some 80% of all NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

ABOUTIMPACTSOLUTIONSRESOURCESSTAFF

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are not passed from person to person. They are
typically of a long duration and progress slowly. The most common NCDs include
cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory
diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes.
NCDs share several common, modifiable risk factors – tobacco use, harmful alcohol
use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. Mitigating the effects of these common risk
factors is critical to combatting NCDs worldwide.
Quick Facts About NCDs

 NCDs are the leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO)
estimates that NCDs account for 60% (more than 35 million) deaths annually.
 Roughly 80% of NCD related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where
fragile health systems often struggle to meet the population’s most basic health needs.
 WHO estimates that 48% of NCD deaths in low- and middle-income countries occur
before 70 years of age, compared with 26% in high-income countries.
 In 2012, all United Nations member countries committed to achieving a 25% reduction in
premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 (the 25 x 25 target).

NCDs Are a Family Matter

The chronic nature of NCDs means patients are sick, suffer longer and require more
medical care. Consequently, family members often have to care for loved ones who are
unable to work due to illness or disability, resulting in additional lost productivity and
wages. In 2011, the World Economic Forum estimated that the combined global
economic impact of cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer,
diabetes, and mental health will be more than $47 trillion dollars over the next 20 years.

Non-communicable diseases – such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and chronic

respiratory disease – were once considered to be a problem for high-income
countries alone. Yet these diseases now account for more deaths than HIV,
malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea and all other communicable diseases combined.