Introducing the PLOS special collection of economic cases for NCD prevention and control: A global perspective

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease, are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths worldwide. While NCDs are associated with aging in high-income countries, this representation is often misleading. Over one-third of the 41 million annual deaths from NCDs occur prematurely, defined as under 70 years of age. Most of those deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) where surveillance, treatment, and care of NCDs are often inadequate. In addition to high health and social costs, the economic costs imposed by such high numbers of excess early deaths impede economic development and contribute to global and national inequity. In higher-income countries, NCDs and their risks continue to push health care costs higher. The burden of NCDs is strongly intertwined with economic conditions for good and for harm. Understanding the multiple ways they are connected-through risk factor exposures, access to quality health care, and financial protection among others-will determine which countries are able to improve the healthy longevity of their populations and slow growth in health expenditure particularly in the face of aging populations. The aim of this Special Collection is to provide new evidence to spur those actions.

Nexus of COVID-19 and diabetes pandemics: Global public health lessons

“…These observations, having special relevance for diabetes prevention, are reminiscent of Rose's formulation published in 1985 that broadly targeted public health interventions involving small, individual lifestyle changes can produce considerable collective benefit in a total population, particularly when the risk is highly diffused as with diabetes, than large changes in a small segment of the population [13]. The World Health Organization's ''best buys" that provide a menu of costeffective and feasible policy options with interventions to achieve SDG, therefore need to be implemented including prescriptions for surveillance and accountability [5,14]. Substantial increases in global public health initiatives proportional to and commensurate with the prevalence of NCDs are required.…”

“…Substantial increases in global public health initiatives proportional to and commensurate with the prevalence of NCDs are required. In particular, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages should be expanded with consideration of limiting direct to consumer advertising of and regulating access to non-nutritious, calorically dense foods, particularly in the LMICs where the impact of consuming sugary beverages on diabetes and obesity is growing [5,15]. Counseling to change behavior and reduce NCD risk, especially in high-risk patients, is also highly cost-effective [5].…”

“…In particular, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages should be expanded with consideration of limiting direct to consumer advertising of and regulating access to non-nutritious, calorically dense foods, particularly in the LMICs where the impact of consuming sugary beverages on diabetes and obesity is growing [5,15]. Counseling to change behavior and reduce NCD risk, especially in high-risk patients, is also highly cost-effective [5]. Referral for diabetes screening and preventive interventions need to be enhanced, considering current low levels for these activities [16].…”

“…NCDs by far constitute the leading cause of premature deaths globally, accounting for over 70% with 41 million individuals dying annually including 15 million under the age of 70 years [4,5]. The preponderance of these occurs in low-and middleincome countries (LMICs) where surveillance and treatment of NCDs are often inadequate [5].…”

“…NCDs by far constitute the leading cause of premature deaths globally, accounting for over 70% with 41 million individuals dying annually including 15 million under the age of 70 years [4,5]. The preponderance of these occurs in low-and middleincome countries (LMICs) where surveillance and treatment of NCDs are often inadequate [5]. The majority of deaths are potentially preventable, but the progress towards this goal has been slowed by inadequate government commitment, investment, engagement and accountability with measures to reduce NCDs [6].…”