Study: Deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases on the Rise in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organization has sounded the alarm: non-communicable diseases have surged with relentless force over the past 25 years, painting a grim portrait of a mounting public health crisis.
Non-communicable disease (NCD) deaths have risen by an alarming 43% in the Americas during the last 25 years, according to a recent report released in July by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
A Silent Epidemic: Non-Communicable Diseases Surge Across the Americas
In 2021, NCDs were responsible for 65% of all deaths in the region or 9.2 million people. Almost 40% of these deaths occurred before the age of 70. According to PAHO, the following NCDs led to an increase in deaths:
- Cardiovascular disease (2.16 million deaths)
- Cancer (1.37 million deaths)
- Diabetes (420,000 deaths)
- Chronic respiratory conditions (416,000 deaths)
“The surge in NCD deaths is an urgent wake-up call,” stated Jarbas Barbosa, PhD, PAHO Director in a news release. “Too many people are dying prematurely from diseases that are largely preventable and treatable. With early detection, timely diagnosis, access to care, and strong policies, we can save lives. This report gives countries the tools they need to act.”
Jarbas Barbosa, PhD, was elected Director of the PAHO by Member States during the 30th Pan American Sanitary Conference on September 28, 2022, Barbosa began his five-year term on February 1, 2023. (Photo copyright: PAHO)
Risky Behaviors and Environmental Hazards Are Fueling the Crisis
Although population growth and aging are contributing factors to the findings, the PAHO report indicates modifiable risk factors are also driving the rise in NCD deaths. Behaviors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol consumption are endangering individuals’ health. The report added that in 2022, there was a 28% increase in obesity since 2010, which affects 33.8% of the adult population in the Americas. Further, the prevalence of diabetes was reported in 13.1% of the population and more than one third of adults have hypertension, but only 36.4% of these cases are controlled.
The report confirmed there are critical environmental challenges contributing to the rise in NCDs, noting air pollution is increasing incidents of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. It also stated that suicide was the fourth leading cause of death in the 15-29 age group, claiming 100,760 lives. And overall suicide rates have increased by 17.4% since 2000 in the region.
The report also noted there have been some improvements in health trends since 2000, including:
- Overall NCD mortality rates decreased by 16.2%
- Cardiovascular and chronic respiratory disease mortality rates dropped by nearly 30%
- Cancer mortality rates fell by 24.6%
- Tobacco use declined by 22.1%
- Diabetes treatment coverage rose from 46.6% to 57.7%
Accelerated efforts to battle NCD mortality rates should be considered to improve public health in the Americas. Only five countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Chile, and Grenada were able to realize the global goal of reducing NCD deaths by 25% before 2025.
Barbosa spoke at the Foreign Policy Global Health Forum of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva in May. During his talk, he cautioned that “35.2% of the population in the Americas faces unmet healthcare needs, with rates exceeding 40% in lower-middle-income countries.”
PAHO Urges Urgent Reforms to Prevent More Lives Lost
He described initiatives PAHO is taking to reduce NCD mortality rates in the Americas, including:
- The HEARTS Initiative that is now active in 33 countries, providing 5.7 million people with treatments for hypertension,
- The Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas which leverages global financing efforts to address regional health care inequities
- The Better Care for NCDs Initiative which helps countries strengthen primary care systems and implement national action plans
Barbosa acknowledges that significant disparities still exist, and critical steps need to be taken to deal with NCDs.
“Only 36% of adults with hypertension are controlled; approximately 38% of adults with diabetes are not adequately treated. Cervical cancer can potentially be eliminated through HPV vaccination, HPV testing, and precancer treatment, all delivered through primary care services. However, coverage rates for HPV vaccination are well below the 90% target, while HPV testing has only been introduced in a few countries,” he said.
Barbosa added that “more than 160 million people live with mental disorders in the Americas, most of whom lack access to care and also experience stigma and discrimination.”
Clinical tests can help identify many of the non-communicable diseases that are responsible for millions of premature deaths. Labs hoping to raise awareness of NCDs among their customers should review the PAHO report to ensure patients receive the best diagnoses and treatments.
— JP Schlingman
