Risk factors associated with chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes are on the...
Risk factors associated with chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes are on the increase in some of the poorest regions of the world, according to a new report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Risk factors for chronic diseases have traditionally been associated with developed countries. How- ever, the WHO's report ' Surveillance of Risk Factors (SuRF) ' which profiles risk trends of chronic diseases in different countries for the first time, shows that many developing countries are also affected.
In addition to long-established infectious disease, developing countries are suffering a rapidly growing new epidemic of chronic disease, linked to conditions such as raised blood pressure, excess alcohol consumption and obesity.
Even in the poorest regions of the world, these common risk factors are now causing serious disease and untimely deaths, according to the WHO.
Dr Ruth Bonita, director of surveillance of non-communicable diseases and mental health at the WHO, said the new data would be a valuable resource: 'Many developing countries are affected by a double burden of disease. Member states need good data on their community profile of key risk factors so that they can bring these diseases under control. And given the time lag between exposure and disease, the risk factors of today predict the diseases of tomorrow.'
