There was a time in our history, not very long ago when we were struggling with diseases like smallpox, tuberculosis, plague, cholera, typhus, syphilis and diphtheria. Now, this picture has changed in most parts of the world. Modern medicine has indeed come a long way. Today we do not encounter most of these killers anymore. Instead, we are dealing with a new group of diseases as our principal health challenges. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are our modern demons.
Unlike the infectious diseases of the previous centuries, NCDs are chronic conditions. They occur as an interaction between genetic and environmental and lifestyle factors. It usually takes time for them to develop. They are not self-limited and do not disappear. Although they may be managed and held under check, they do not have a decisive treatment. The most prevalent NCDs are heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
Why are these diseases important? Because they cause a lot of morbidity and mortality. In 2017, the first three most important causes of death in the world were: ischemic heart disease, cancer and respiratory diseases. (ref). According to the World Health Organization, NCDs cause about 41 million deaths each year, which is 71% of all the human deaths on this planet. NCDs are serious health problems in our world.
Another important thing about these diseases is that we can prevent them to a large extent. The fact is that our lifestyles play an essential role in the development and persistence of these diseases. Millions of deaths can be prevented by stopping smoking, cutting back on salt use, moderation in alcohol consumption and doing enough physical activity.
It seems that in the 21st century, it is not germs that are killing us, but ourselves.
