course material

1. Chronic Diseases
Chronic DiseasesRecent studies have shown that the chronic diseases, such as cancer,
stroke, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading
causes of death all over the world. In 2005, it is estimated that about 35 million people died
of chronic illness, half of which were under 70 years old and the other half were women
(World Health Organization, (n.da). As a country develops, its productivity increases and it
is also able to access other global products.Citizens will have a change in lifestyle and
demand some of these global products that the nation is able to access. This may lead to
ability to obtain nontraditional food calories that would result in an increase in obesity,
people may be encouraged to abuse tobacco and other substance abuse, eventually leading
to development of many chronic diseases (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007). Even if a nation can
spend money in expensive medical care, their functional decline is bound to reduce and
thus unable to prevent death. Hale, Joubert & Kaula (2007) project that in the near future,
the chronic diseases will be the predominant cause of death worldwide and the developing
nations will suffer most.DiscussionDiabetesDiabetes is rated highly among the top causes of
death, taking the lives of people of every community or culture worldwide. Between 2003
and 2030, the number of people suffering from diabetes in the world is expected to increase
from 194 million to 330 million, and those living in developing countries catering for about
75% (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007). This disease is a major threat worldwide and has led to
the rise of organizations like the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), whose main
mission is to encourage or promote the care, prevention, and cure of the diabetic
worldwide.IDF is involved in the action to deal with diabetes from the local level by creating
awareness and advocacy initiatives through programs at the community level, to the global
level (International Diabetes Federation, n.d). Developing countries have a great challenge
in the healthcare of this disease. It is costly to manage due to its many complications such as
foot ulceration and amputation, retinopathy, nephropathy and heart disease which
exaggerate the burden (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007).Cardiovascular DiseasesCardiovascular
diseases (CVDs) constitute a group of disorders of the blood vessels and of the heart. They
include coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral
vascular disease. These are the diseases that are most predominant among the non-
communicable diseases. Study has shown cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart
disease, in 2002, were the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with a disease burden of
about 13% among people aged 15 years and above (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007).The most
common type of heart disease in the United States is the coronary heart disease (CAD), and

2. can result in heart attack (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.da). The rapid
increase of CVDs globally has mainly been brought about by change in lifestyle that is as a
result of urbanization and industrialization. The use of tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet and
physical inactivity are some of the risk factors for CVDs. Unfortunately, for the developing
countries, it is projected that the CVDs will be the leading cause of death from 2010 (Hale,
Joubert & Kaula, 2007).ObesityThis disease is now an epidemic worldwide, in both
developed and developing countries, and it is a very important risk factor for chronic
disease. Between 2003 and 2004, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES), surveyed that the prevalence of obesity in adults aged above 20 years was
32.2%, and another 34.1% overweight in the United States (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007).
The prevalence is high also in other developing and developed nations. Obesity is known to
induce cancer and the risk of having a vascular or heart disease when with it is high.
Chronic obesity may significantly also contribute to osteoarthritis, and in adults, this is a
major cause of disability (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007).Appropriate diet and adequate
physical exercises are vital in minimizing the threat if this disease, especially when a person
is young since it is common from as early as childhood. It may start by causing an organ
failure, but when condoned, it may lead to multiple organ failures or eventually death (Hale,
Joubert & Kaula, 2007).SmokingThe use of tobacco is a preventable cause of diseases and
premature deaths worldwide. It is approximated that currently, 5.4 million people die
tobacco-related deaths, and by the year 2030, this figure is expected to increase to about 8
million a year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.dc). Consumption of tobacco is
on the decrease in most developed countries, but in developing countries, its use is
increasing. It is estimated that of all smokers, 80% live in developing countries (Hale et al.
2007). Other than a cause for chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, its use also aids
in causing laryngeal, esophageal and cavity cancers. The use of tobacco increases the risk of
dying from coronary disease by about two to three times, and increases the risk of
developing lung cancer by about 30 times (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007).InjuriesThese are
mostly caused by our own carelessness or lack of taking precautionary measures when
undertaking risky activities. As a result, there has been the rise of projects such as the Road
Safety project funded by WHO in 10 countries (RS10), that ensures safety by encouraging
increased helmet and seat-belt wearing in many countries, reduced drinking and driving
among other measures (World Health Organization, n.db). Such kind of initiatives are being
adopted all over the world by organizations to ensure the safety of all workers, thus
reducing the rate of perishing from injuries caused due to being unsafe at
work.CancerCancer is a major cause of mortality all over the world and is common among
older adults. In 2002, over 7.1 million deaths occurred worldwide in the over 10 million
reported cases (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007). The major cause is the change in lifestyle that
is brought about by development in many countries. The most common cancer now with a
high prevalence rate is the Lung cancer (Hale, Joubert & Kaula, 2007). The main risk factors
worldwide are alcohol use, tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. Of all cancer
deaths, 70% occurred in low and middle income countries, and in 2030, the deaths are
expected to continue rising to over 13.1 million (World Health Organization,
n.dc).SummaryChronic disease deaths occur mostly in low or middle income countries.

3. Creation of awareness through educational programs is important in reducing these deaths,
such that the people know how to deal with their illness to avoid unnecessary deaths, and
which kinds of lifestyle to adopt for healthy living. Knowing the signs and symptoms will be
beneficial in reporting the illness in time, so that medication is given in time rather than late
when one’ s chances of survival are minimal. Preventive strategies adopted in health
systems will also help minimize the cost a nation would incur in treating theses chronic
diseases.ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, (n.da). Heart disease.
Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from: http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, (n.db).Smoking and Tobacco use. Retrieved on 10th March 2012
from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/global/index.htmHale, W. A., Joubert, J. D. & Kaula, S.
(2007). Aging populations and chronic illness. In Markle, W. H., Fisher, M., & Smego, R. A.
(Eds), Understanding global health (pp. 208-229). The McGraw-Hill, Columbus, OH.
Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47566859/UnderstandingGlobalHealthChapter11.pdfInternation
al Diabetes Federation. Who We Are. Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from:
http://www.idf.org/who-we-areWorld Health Organization, (n.da). Chronic Disease and
health promotion. Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from:
http://www.who.int/chp/en/World Health Organization, (n.db). Violence and Injury
prevention. Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from:
http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/en/World Health Organization, (n.dc).
Media centre; Cancer. Retrieved on 10th March 2012 from:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/index.html