The WHO is focusing on the prevention and treatment of NCD’s in member nations. But, based on the graphs, even though mortality within most high income countries are due to CVD’s a few low income countries still have high mortality rates associated with communicable disease. Therefore, the focus on governments to eradicate these four killers may not be extensively beneficial to all nations. High rates of NCD’s are not only due to lack of access to health care but also lack of access of preventative measures, such as screenings and education. Therefore, the WHO should encourage member nations to formulate policies emphasizing prevention. Furthermore, initiatives to prevent habits should still be addressed even if they aren’t at alarmingly high rates within the country. For example, even though smoking is not as high in low income countries, initiatives to prevent the habit should not be overlooked and should be implemented into policies as the rates of tobacco use within low income nations is rising.
Additionally, globalization and the increase of influence of western culture upon developing countries may be causing the rise of NCD’s in low income nations. While recently in Kenya, I read an article in the newspaper that stated how in most African countries, CVD’s are the most common cause of disease after infectious disease. It is a lifestyle disease due to the associated risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and alcoholism. “Western influence may be part of the cause as the only exercise people are doing is walking to their car. The same risk factors in America are seen in Africa but in these third world countries the disease is coming at a younger age. Diabetes prevalence has also shot up to 7.2 percent which is among the highest in the world. This is especially high in certain geographical hotspots and ethnic groups.” (Daily Nation, 5) Though, it may not be completely to blame, globalization and foreign influence may be affecting developing nations.
It may also be beneficial to focus on specific diseases rather then trying to eradicate all four at once in order to have a more powerful initiative. For example, cardiovascular disease is exceptionally high in almost every country and focusing more strategies to prevent the disease may give a better output. Monitoring and evaluation is something that isn’t really invested in and determines how effective an initiative is. The WHO and other international organizations investing projects to eradicate disease within nations around the world should make it a point to complete M&E and urge nations to complete it as well. For example, from my recent experience in Kenya, I observed initiatives funded by international organizations that were taken to eradicate malaria, but lack of proper implementation and evaluation caused them to not be effectively utilized within communities.
The WHO is focusing on the prevention and treatment of NCD’s in member nations. But, based on the graphs, even though mortality within most high income countries are due to CVD’s a few low income countries still have high mortality rates associated with communicable disease. Therefore, the focus on governments to eradicate these four killers may not be extensively beneficial to all nations.
ReplyDeleteHigh rates of NCD’s are not only due to lack of access to health care but also lack of access of preventative measures, such as screenings and education. Therefore, the WHO should encourage member nations to formulate policies emphasizing prevention. Furthermore, initiatives to prevent habits should still be addressed even if they aren’t at alarmingly high rates within the country. For example, even though smoking is not as high in low income countries, initiatives to prevent the habit should not be overlooked and should be implemented into policies as the rates of tobacco use within low income nations is rising.
Additionally, globalization and the increase of influence of western culture upon developing countries may be causing the rise of NCD’s in low income nations. While recently in Kenya, I read an article in the newspaper that stated how in most African countries, CVD’s are the most common cause of disease after infectious disease. It is a lifestyle disease due to the associated risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and alcoholism. “Western influence may be part of the cause as the only exercise people are doing is walking to their car. The same risk factors in America are seen in Africa but in these third world countries the disease is coming at a younger age. Diabetes prevalence has also shot up to 7.2 percent which is among the highest in the world. This is especially high in certain geographical hotspots and ethnic groups.” (Daily Nation, 5) Though, it may not be completely to blame, globalization and foreign influence may be affecting developing nations.
It may also be beneficial to focus on specific diseases rather then trying to eradicate all four at once in order to have a more powerful initiative. For example, cardiovascular disease is exceptionally high in almost every country and focusing more strategies to prevent the disease may give a better output.
Monitoring and evaluation is something that isn’t really invested in and determines how effective an initiative is. The WHO and other international organizations investing projects to eradicate disease within nations around the world should make it a point to complete M&E and urge nations to complete it as well. For example, from my recent experience in Kenya, I observed initiatives funded by international organizations that were taken to eradicate malaria, but lack of proper implementation and evaluation caused them to not be effectively utilized within communities.