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A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a growing crisis of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer in the Western Pacific region. According to the “Health Statistics in the Western Pacific Region 2023: Monitoring Health for the Sustainable Development Goals,” nearly 90 percent of deaths in the region are now attributed to NCDs, marking a significant epidemiological shift.
The WHO report highlights that while infectious diseases and injuries were once the leading causes of death in the Western Pacific, the burden has shifted dramatically towards chronic conditions. This shift is exacerbated by rapid population ageing in the region, which is home to over 245 million people aged 65 and older, many of whom are living with long-term NCDs.
“Noncommunicable diseases are on the rise, and we need urgent, coordinated action to address this growing threat to public health,” stated WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Saia Ma’u Piukala, at a press conference on Thursday.
Key Risk Factors
The report emphasizes that alcohol and tobacco use continue to be major risk factors for NCDs. Alcohol consumption in the Western Pacific has surged by 40 percent since 2000. Meanwhile, tobacco use, though declining, remains above the global average. In 2022, 22.5 percent of adults in the region smoked, compared to 28 percent in 2000, but still higher than the global average of 20.9 percent.
“The high rates of alcohol and tobacco use in the region underscore the need for stronger public health policies and interventions,” noted the WHO report.
Impact of Processed Foods and Changing Lifestyles
Piukala also pointed to the region’s increasing dependence on processed foods as a major contributor to the rise in NCDs. “There is a shift from locally planted and healthy food and fishing to processed foods. For many, processed food is part of their daily life,” he said, adding that addressing this issue will require tackling both social and commercial determinants of health.
The report underscores the challenge of reversing these trends, particularly as imported processed foods become more ingrained in daily diets, displacing traditional, healthier options.
Mental Health and Environmental Concerns
In addition to the growing NCD burden, the WHO report also highlights the mental health crisis in the region, along with health concerns linked to environmental and climate-related factors. Rising temperatures, air pollution, and extreme weather events are contributing to worsening health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
“While infectious diseases and injuries were previously major causes of illness and death in the Western Pacific, the region is undergoing a significant epidemiological shift,” the report notes. This shift poses new challenges for health systems that are often still geared towards addressing communicable diseases.
A Call for Coordinated Action
“The issue of NCDs is not an easy fix, but we can all work together to address this rising tide,” Piukala urged, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors. The WHO is calling for enhanced strategies to reduce the prevalence of NCD risk factors, such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and substance use.
The WHO’s findings underline the need for comprehensive, region-wide interventions aimed at reducing NCD-related mortality and improving overall public health. Without sustained efforts, the growing burden of NCDs threatens to overwhelm health systems and stall progress on global health goals.
As the Western Pacific faces this evolving health crisis, governments, healthcare providers, and communities will need to prioritize preventive measures and health-promoting policies to reverse the dangerous trend of NCDs and ensure healthier futures for their populations.
