U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States will reject a UN declaration on non-communicable diseases, citing concerns over its scope and issues like gender ideology and abortion, despite broad international support for the document aimed at reducing global chronic disease mortality by 2030.
The United Nations has for the first time included dementia in its global health declaration, recognizing it as a major non-communicable disease and a growing health challenge, especially for aging populations worldwide. This milestone aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage governments to implement policies for better care and prevention, though significant challenges remain, particularly in low-income countries.
A study published in The Lancet shows that from 2010 to 2019, the risk of dying from non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes decreased in most countries, driven by better treatments, vaccines, and policies restricting tobacco and alcohol, although progress has slowed in recent years.
A new study published in The Lancet predicts a significant increase in global life expectancy by 2050, driven by effective public health strategies and a shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases. The study forecasts a rise of 4.9 years for males and 4.2 years for females, with the largest gains in countries with currently lower life expectancies. Despite longer lives, more years will be spent in poor health due to non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors like obesity and high blood pressure. The study emphasizes the need for policy interventions to mitigate these risks and reduce health disparities.
India has been declared the "cancer capital of the world" due to a significant surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with one in three Indians being pre-diabetic, two in three pre-hypertensive, and one in 10 experiencing depression. The Health of Nation Report by Apollo Hospitals highlights the concerning rise of NCDs in India, particularly cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues, with the country experiencing the fastest increase in cancer cases. The report emphasizes the importance of regular health screenings to mitigate the risk of cardiac-related ailments and forecasts a potential increase in healthcare burdens due to these conditions occurring at younger ages.
Calls are growing for the establishment of a global fund to address air pollution, which is responsible for the deaths of seven million people annually from illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and pneumonia. Despite its significant impact on public health, air pollution has not received the same level of global recognition and funding as other health issues like Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria. Advocates argue that investing in tackling air pollution could help reduce multiple non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improve public health outcomes, particularly in lower and middle-income countries where the impact is most severe. However, some experts caution that addressing air pollution and NCDs requires complex, multi-sectoral solutions that may be challenging for a single global fund to manage.
Colombia has implemented a new law, known as the "junk food law," which imposes taxes on ultra-processed foods in an effort to combat lifestyle diseases. The tax will be gradually introduced, starting at 10% and increasing to 20% by 2025. The law targets foods high in salt and saturated fat, such as chocolates and crisps. Colombia's model of taxing processed foods could serve as an example to other countries, according to health experts. The country is also introducing mandatory health warnings on foods with high levels of unhealthy ingredients. Critics argue that the tax will worsen inflation, but proponents believe it is necessary to address the growing health crisis.
A study analyzing mortality rates from six common non-communicable diseases across 38 mostly high-income countries revealed that Turkey had the highest overall mortality score, followed by Hungary, the Slovak Republic, and Mexico. The United States ranked ninth overall, with high rates of lung disease and kidney conditions contributing to its poor position. Obesity and previously higher smoking rates were identified as factors behind the US's ranking. Within the US, Mississippi, Arkansas, and West Virginia had the highest mortality rates, while Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York had the lowest. The study also found that states in the southern region of the US had higher death rates from the diseases studied, likely due to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and a more fragile healthcare system.
A study published in the journal Nature Portfolio reveals that the average Indian consumes 8 grams of salt daily, exceeding the recommended daily limit of 5 grams. The study, based on a sample survey of 3,000 adults, found that men, employed individuals, tobacco users, obese individuals, and those with raised blood pressure had higher salt intake. Excessive salt consumption increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. The study suggests that a universal reduction in dietary sodium consumption could help reduce the need for anti-hypertensive treatment, emphasizing the importance of effective policy interventions in food labeling and regulating sodium levels in commercially prepared dietary substances.
The Health Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has urged parents and guardians to limit the consumption of fast food and sugary beverages in children's diets, emphasizing the importance of moderation and incorporating more fruits and vegetables. He highlighted the connection between mental health and physical health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed the need to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through a life course approach. The minister also mentioned initiatives such as banning sugar-sweetened beverages in schools and promoting breastfeeding. Additionally, he introduced a pedometer app aimed at encouraging physical activity. The South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) hosted the TT Moves health and wellness festival to promote healthy lifestyle practices and improve accessibility to healthcare services.
A comprehensive review published in the Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Journal compared the impacts of vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets on cardiometabolic and other non-communicable diseases. The study found that while vegetarian diets may help reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, the non-uniformity of findings due to cultural and ethnic differences, as well as variations in methodology, make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. However, several cohort studies reported that vegetarian diets were associated with lower risks of obesity, overweight, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials also showed that vegetarian diets improved glycemic control and resulted in higher weight loss. The researchers believe that the health benefits of vegetarian diets are likely due to lower intake of saturated fats, reduced effects of excess animal proteins, and the high fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acid, complex carbohydrate, and micronutrient content of plant-based diets.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) for weight loss or disease prevention, stating that replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term. The recommendation applies to all synthetic and naturally occurring or modified non-nutritive sweeteners that are not classified as sugars found in manufactured foods and beverages, or sold on their own to be added to foods and beverages by consumers. The WHO's new guidance does not apply to low-calorie sugars or sugar alcohols (polyols) and does not include those with pre-existing diabetes.
More than 320 people were screened by the NCRHA's medical staff at this year's Boom Burnout event, with 73% showing early signs of hypertension and diabetes. The event, held during the Carnival period, aims to encourage healthy lifestyles through movement and exercise to the sounds of soca music. The NCRHA partnered with Boom Champions radio station to provide medical screening, including Covid-19 vaccinations, influenza vaccinations, specialist medical consultations, public health education, glucose screening, and high blood pressure testing. The NCRHA has implemented a series of outreach projects to provide healthcare outside of the usual hospital walls, in efforts to make healthcare more available and accessible to communities.