Addressing the deeply inequitable human toll of noncommunicable diseases

Bridging the care gap and solving the growing challenge of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) was the focus of the 2023 Global Week for Action on NCDs. Our International Vice President for Medical, Pei-Chieh Fong, marked the milestone this year by sharing her expert opinion in a Devex article.

The NCD toll is deeply inequitable and requires rapid action

The rapid rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is one of the biggest global health threats of our time, and the human toll is deeply inequitable. By 2030, the United Nations has a target to reduce premature NCD deaths by one-third as part of its global Sustainable Development Goals.¹ If we are to stop the devastating rise in NCDs, we need to take urgent action to address risk factors and invest deeply in educating communities and populations most at risk. We also need to deliver scalable and, crucially, affordable solutions for those emerging markets bearing the brunt of the NCD crisis.

At AstraZeneca, we believe we have an important role to play in driving better patient outcomes. NCDs disproportionately affect older people as well as those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs),² where patient outcomes are greatly affected by inequality in health care provision. We are working to break down the barriers to equitable health care and pioneer access and treatment solutions that change the patient journey.

Addressing health equity and barriers to access

Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes – all NCDs – are the leading cause of death globally by far, killing 41 million people and representing 74% of all deaths annually.² LMICs are bearing the greatest burden and impact that NCDs have on patients and communities, with 77% of all NCD deaths occurring in LMICs.³

Addressing NCDs, which are largely preventable, requires a holistic approach that encompasses health equity, scalable solutions for countries with limited resources and funding, and a change in the way health care is viewed. Removing barriers to health care access and education, building health system resilience, and tackling the major risk factors – poor diet, physical inactivity, and tobacco and alcohol use – are critical ways to reduce the increasing burden.⁴

Beyond prevention, early detection and securing treatment at the right time are two critical factors in transforming patient outcomes.

Everyone in the health care ecosystem is responsible for advocating for reform and to build local capabilities that address NCD-related unmet needs, improve access to quality health care, and provide solutions across prevention, awareness, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world witnessed how public-private partnerships saved lives through cross-sector and cross-border collaboration to manufacture and distribute vaccines. This is now the key to addressing some of the most significant health care challenges in LMICs, including getting medicine to patients with access challenges, and working to roll out advanced diagnostics to ensure rapid detection of NCDs to be able to improve patient outcomes.

Altering NCD patient outcomes with digital innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming what’s possible when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of NCDs. It’s allowing us to analyse and interpret huge amounts of data and, crucially, identify NCDs in their early stages, leading to better long-term patient outcomes.

Investing in health care, not sick care

There is also a need for a wide-scale policy shift in the way health is viewed, including shifting mindsets toward viewing health as a strategic investment, with a focus on prevention and helping to reduce the impact of NCDs. This can be achieved by developing infrastructures for efficient health care systems, supporting long-term solutions, and driving health care reform. Preventative strategies integrated with care across the life course, supported by sufficient capacity – one of the biggest challenges facing emerging markets – is needed.

Investment in health care, not sick care, is paramount – shifting from treatment once someone gets sick – to prevention. NCDs are very often a result of behaviours that start during childhood and adolescence.⁵ Therefore, we are placing particular emphasis on disease prevention through education and partnerships, working with organisations across the world to invest in community initiatives, programmes, advocacy, and research to address this health emergency. By educating and empowering young people through our Young Health Programme to make better lifestyle choices, we hope to play a key role in NCD prevention, creating a healthier society and reducing the burden on health systems.

By breaking down the barriers of health equity, enabling cost-effective solutions and transforming the approach to early education, there is an opportunity to reverse the devastating impact of NCDs – and acting now is critical.

References

1. World Health Organization. SDG Target 3.4 Non-communicable diseases and mental health [Internet]. www.who.int. 2023. Available from: http://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/sdg-target-3_4-noncommunicable-diseases-and-mental-health

2. World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases [Internet]. World Health Organization. 2022. Available from: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases

3. NCD Alliance News [Internet]. NCD Alliance. [cited 2023 Oct 10]. Available from: http://ncdalliance.org/news-events/news/ncds-investment-fund-puts-control-in-hands-of-low-and-middle-income-countries

4. Alves AJ, Viana JL, Cavalcante SL, Oliveira NL, Duarte JA, Mota J, Oliveira J, Ribeiro F. Physical activity in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: Overview updated. World journal of cardiology. 2016 Oct 10;8(10):575.

5. UNICEF. Noncommunicable diseases [Webpage]. UNICEF DATA. 2021. Available from: http://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/noncommunicable-diseases/

Veeva ID: Z4-60522
Date of preparation: December 2023