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

Author

Listed:
  • Majid Ezzati

    (School of Public Health, Imperial College London
    MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London
    Imperial College London)

  • Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard

    (School of Public Health, Imperial College London
    MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London)

  • James E. Bennett

    (School of Public Health, Imperial College London
    MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London)

  • Colin D. Mathers

    (Evidence and Research, World Health Organization)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Majid Ezzati & Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard & James E. Bennett & Colin D. Mathers, 2018. "Acting on non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income tropical countries," Nature, Nature, vol. 559(7715), pages 507-516, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:559:y:2018:i:7715:d:10.1038_s41586-018-0306-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0306-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Chuanwei Ma & Yuanyuan Zhang & Min Zhao & Pascal Bovet & Bo Xi, 2020. "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Young Adolescents in 68 LMICs, and Their Relationships with National Economic Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Bancalari, Antonella & Berlinski, Samuel & Buitrago, Giancarlo & García, María Fernanda & de la Mata, Dolores & Vera-Hernandez, Marcos, 2023. "Health inequalities in Latin American and the Caribbean: child, adolescent, reproductive, metabolic syndrome and mental health," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 120559, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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