NCDs described as a double disease burden in Vanuatu

The Ministry of Health has described the current situation which Vanuatu is experiencing in relation to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as frightening and increasing figures as a double disease burden, in sense that it is significantly prevalent and jointly exert negative impacts on health and development.
According to WHO reports, major NCDs in associates to risk factors represents a leading threat to human health and development, accounting for approximately 60% of all deaths and 25% below age 60.

The NCDs are a growing health problem particularly in developing countries and constitute major cause of premature deaths. Increasing rates of NCDs are attributed to changing lifestyle due to globalisation, socio-economic development, urbanisation and population ageing.
The free encyclopaedia defines NCD as a medical condition or disease which by definition is non-infectious and non-transmissible between persons. NCDs may be chronic diseases of long duration and slow progression, or they may result in more rapid death such as some types of sudden stroke.

They include autoimmune diseases, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and more. While sometimes (incorrectly) referred to as synonymous with “chronic diseases”, NCDs are distinguished only by their non-infectious cause, not necessarily by their duration.
Common NCDs in Vanuatu are heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease.