Issue of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Definition

• non-infectious and non-transmissible among people 

Leads to

• morbidity(diseased state of individual) and premature deaths 
• most common in low and middle income countries

NCDs mainly includes

• diabetes
• hypertension
• high cholesterol and 
• a high body mass index.

epicentre -->India
 
Reasons:

• weak public health policies and changing lifestyles 
• consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food and drink

Current status:

• tobacco and alcohol are receiving close scrutiny(picture of cancer on tobacco products,etc.) 
• BUT the role of ultra-processed packaged food is not getting the attention  
• poor regulation of unhealthy food

What can be done:

• use taxation, labelling and awareness creation to make high-energy, low nutrition foods unattractive to the consumer. 
• policy intervention, and consumption of wholesome, fresh meals high in vegetable and fruit content must be encouraged

REFERENCE The health of nations