The Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Cancer

 

Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death worldwide. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer take millions of lives every year, affecting individuals, families, and health systems. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are not passed from person to person. They develop over time and are shaped by lifestyle, environment, genetics, and, importantly, by access to healthcare.

The growing burden of NCDs shows the urgent need for prevention, early detection, public awareness, and stronger health services.

NCDs by the Numbers

• Global deaths: According to WHO (fact sheet updated 25 September 2025), NCDs killed at least 43 million people in 2021, equal to 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths. Cardiovascular diseases caused at least 19 million of these deaths, cancers about 10 million, chronic respiratory diseases about 4 million, and diabetes over 2 million (including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). These four groups account for 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
• Hypertension: WHO's Global Report on Hypertension 2025 estimates that 1.4 billion people aged 30–79 were living with hypertension in 2024, yet fewer than one in five had it under control.
• Diabetes: The IDF Diabetes Atlas (11th edition, 2025) estimates 589 million adults, about 1 in 9, were living with diabetes in 2024, rising to 853 million by 2050. An estimated 43% (252 million) are undiagnosed, and about 81% of adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.
• Cancer: WHO's Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 estimates 20.6 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths a year, making cancer the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Based on population growth and ageing alone, cases could reach about 34 million a year by 2050 (a 67% increase), according to GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates.
• The global target: SDG target 3.4 calls for a one-third reduction in premature deaths from NCDs by 2030 through prevention and treatment, and the promotion of mental health and well-being.

“mental health and well-being”.

Understanding the Major Non-Communicable Diseases

1. Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, leading to high blood glucose. There are two main forms: type 1, in which the body produces little or no insulin and which requires lifelong insulin, and type 2, which accounts for the large majority of cases and is strongly linked to weight, diet, and physical inactivity. If poorly controlled, diabetes can cause kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart disease, and lower-limb amputation.

A key challenge is that many people do not know they have it: the IDF estimates that 58.7% of adults with diabetes in low-income countries are undiagnosed, compared with 28.9% in high-income countries. Another 635 million adults have impaired glucose tolerance, which places them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

2. Heart Disease, Stroke, and Hypertension

Cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease and stroke, is the single largest cause of NCD deaths. High blood pressure is its most important controllable driver. Hypertension is often called a "silent" condition because it frequently has no symptoms until a heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage occurs. Other major risk factors include high cholesterol, tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and diabetes.

Heart attacks and strokes can often be prevented through early diagnosis and effective management of these risks. Blood pressure medicines are among the most cost-effective tools in public health, yet access is unequal: as summarised in coverage of the WHO report, 93% of high-income countries report general availability of all WHO-recommended hypertension medicines, compared with only 7 of 25 low-income countries.

3. Cancer

Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide (about 2.6 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths in 2024), followed in incidence by breast and colorectal cancer. Cervical and prostate cancers are also major causes of illness and death in many countries.

WHO estimates that nearly four in ten cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, and infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori. This means vaccination (HPV, hepatitis B), safe injection and blood-safety practices, and infection control are also cancer prevention. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve outcomes for many cancers.

Why Are NCDs Increasing?

Several interconnected factors contribute to the rising burden:

• Unhealthy diets: Too much salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and too little fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles and limited opportunities for exercise.
• Tobacco and alcohol use: Major preventable causes of disease and premature death. Encouragingly, WHO reports that tobacco use has fallen by 27% since 2010.
• Air pollution: Recognised by WHO as a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, and lung cancer.
• Urbanisation and lifestyle change: Changes in food systems, transport, and daily routines increase risk, particularly in rapidly growing cities.
• Population ageing and genetics: The risk of many NCDs rises with age, and family history can influence individual susceptibility.
• Limited access to healthcare: Lack of screening, late diagnosis, high treatment costs, and shortages of essential medicines lead to preventable complications and deaths.

The Impact on Individuals and Society

NCDs affect more than physical health. They can cause long-term disability, reduced productivity, financial hardship, and emotional stress for patients and families. WHO's hypertension report notes that cardiovascular diseases were projected to cost low- and middle-income countries about US$3.7 trillion between 2011 and 2025, roughly 2% of their combined GDP. Because NCD care is long-term, the costs, including medicines, tests, and transport to facilities, recur month after month, and where families pay out of pocket they can push households into poverty.

The Situation in Africa

The NCD transition is well under way in Africa. The WHO Regional Office for Africa reports that NCDs are becoming the leading cause of mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2020 there were around 1.1 million new cancer cases and 700,000 cancer deaths in Africa; the continent accounted for 5.7% of global cancer incidence but more than 7% of cancer deaths, pointing to late diagnosis and limited access to treatment.

How Can We Prevent and Control NCDs?

Many NCDs and their complications can be prevented or managed effectively. Important actions include:

1. Adopt a healthy diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains. Reduce salt (WHO recommends less than 5 grams a day, about one teaspoon), added sugar, and unhealthy fats.
2. Stay physically active: Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, as health and ability allow.
3. Avoid tobacco: Do not smoke or use other tobacco products, and avoid second-hand smoke.
4. Limit alcohol: Harmful use of alcohol is a risk factor for cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.
5. Maintain a healthy weight: Combine balanced nutrition with regular physical activity.
6. Check your health regularly: Monitor blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol according to your age, risk factors, and your healthcare professional's advice. Anyone diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes should take prescribed medicines consistently and attend follow-up.
7. Seek early medical care and get vaccinated: Do not ignore persistent symptoms or warning signs. Take part in recommended cancer screening (for example, cervical screening) and HPV and hepatitis B vaccination where available.
8. Strengthen community awareness: Schools, workplaces, community and religious leaders, healthcare workers, and media can promote healthier behaviours and encourage early diagnosis.

The Role of Governments and Healthcare Systems

Preventing NCDs requires action beyond individual choices. Governments and health authorities should:

• Strengthen primary healthcare so that hypertension, diabetes, and cancer screening are available close to where people live. Bangladesh, for example, raised facility-level blood pressure control from 18% in 2020 to 58% in 2025 by embedding hypertension services in its essential health packages.
• Ensure reliable access to affordable essential medicines and diagnostics.
• Support tobacco control, promote healthy food environments, and address air pollution.
• Establish clear screening and referral pathways, with data systems that track diagnosis, treatment, and control.
• Protect continuity of NCD care in emergencies and for displaced populations.

Healthcare workers play a vital role in educating communities, identifying risk factors, supporting patients to manage chronic conditions, and ensuring continuity of care. Infection prevention teams contribute directly through vaccination, safe injection and blood-safety practices, and infection control for patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions who are more vulnerable to complications.

WACYIGELIN: KA HORTAGGA IYO MAAREYNTA GOWRACATADA (DIPHTHERIA)

Conclusion

The rising burden of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer is a serious public health concern, but it is not inevitable. Prevention, early detection, healthy lifestyles, effective treatment, and strong health systems can save lives and reduce long-term costs.

Every individual, community, and government has a role to play. Investing in prevention today means building a healthier population and a stronger healthcare system for tomorrow.

Key message: Know your risks, adopt healthy habits, attend recommended health checks, and seek medical advice early.