Acting on non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income tropical countries

Majid Ezzati (), Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, James E. Bennett and Colin D. Mathers
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Majid Ezzati: School of Public Health, Imperial College London
Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard: School of Public Health, Imperial College London
James E. Bennett: School of Public Health, Imperial College London
Colin D. Mathers: Evidence and Research, World Health Organization

Nature, 2018, vol. 559, issue 7715, 507-516

Abstract: Abstract The classical portrayal of poor health in tropical countries is one of infections and parasites, contrasting with wealthy Western countries, where unhealthy diet and behaviours cause non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and cancer. Using international mortality data, we show that most NCDs cause more deaths at every age in low- and middle-income tropical countries than in high-income Western countries. Causes of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries include poor nutrition and living environment, infections, insufficient taxation and regulation of tobacco and alcohol, and under-resourced and inaccessible healthcare. We identify a comprehensive set of actions across health, social, economic and environmental sectors that could confront NCDs in low- and middle-income tropical countries and reduce global health inequalities.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0306-9

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