Chronic diseases - facing a public health challenge
West Indian med. j
; 50(Suppl 4): 27-31, Sept. 2001.
Artigo
em Inglês
| MedCarib
| ID: med-292
Biblioteca responsável:
JM3.1
Localização: JM3.1; R18.W4
ABSTRACT
Middle income countries like those in the Caribbean can feel proud of their achievements in health care. There has been a dramatic fall-off in infant mortality and crude mortality rates along with significant improvements in life expectancy at birth. However, these countries now find themselves grappling with the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cancer. There are good data to support the view that some of these diseases, in particular diabetes mellitus, have assumed epidemic proportions and there is concern that this fact may have been missed by many because of the surreptitious onset, as is the nature of the chronic diseases. The impact of this epidemic may have suffered because of the higher profile of more tropical issues like HIV/AIDS even though the former makes a larger contribution to morbidity and mortality statistics. It is now obvious that despite the impact of other factors, lifestyles changes are the major contributors to the epidemic. In populations of similar genetic stock, living in significantly different socio-economic circumstances, the impact of increased dietary salt, increasing obesity and decreased physical activity on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lipid disorders is unequivocal. Data from the developed world, which has already been through this epidemic of chronic diseases, have shown that increasing technological advances in medical care is an efficient way to respond to the situation. A multi-sectoral approach is required to tackle this epidemic, including the provision of incentives for healthy eating and widespread opportunities for increased exercise and other physical activities. Continued research into the evolution of the epidemic, including reliable estimates via surveillance methods is a necessary component of our response. The problems and the solutions are not only the responsibilities of the health officials but must involve education, agriculture and other sectors of the economy. (AU)
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Coleções:
Bases de dados internacionais
Contexto em Saúde:
ODS3 - Saúde e Bem-Estar
/
ODS3 - Meta 3.2 Reduzir as mortes de recém nascidos e crianças com menos de 5 anos
Problema de saúde:
Meta 3.3: Acabar com as doenças tropicais negligenciadas e combater as doenças transmissíveis
/
Meta 3.4: Reduzir as mortes prematuras devido doenças não transmissíveis
/
Meta 3.2: Reduzir as mortes de recém nascidos e crianças com menos de 5 anos
/
Saúde Ambiental
/
Doenças Não Transmissíveis
/
Nutrição
Base de dados:
MedCarib
Assunto principal:
Saúde Pública
/
Doença Crônica
/
Política de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Fatores de risco
Aspecto:
Determinantes sociais da saúde
Limite:
Humanos
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
West Indian med. j
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Artigo