Globalization of risks for chronic diseases demands global solutions

Published by the Oxford Health Alliance, this chapter is taken from the journal Perspectives on Global Development and Technology. The authors argue that chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, have been widely neglected by policymakers. Yet, they now constitute the bulk of the world’s disease burden and their prevalence is increasing in almost all populations, most notably in the developing world. The chapter provides updated information on the key macro-determinants of NCDs: urbanisation, globalisation and ageing. It also highlights the emergence of related risk factors including obesity, tobacco and alcohol use, and reduced consumption of fruit and vegetables accompanied by a shift towards diets high in sugar and saturated fat. Global promotion of alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks is cited as a major cause.

The authors argue that globalisation drives the risk of chronic disease, indirectly through increases in household and national income, and directly through global forces in trade and marketing. They conclude that investment in chronic disease prevention and control has not kept pace with the growing burden of NCDs, and call on governments and international bodies involved in health policy and funding to give greater priority to these diseases and their risk factors.