Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Developing Countries

Book excerpt: Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are still widely perceived as diseases of affluence and not therefore public health priorities for low and middle income (developing) countries. This book focuses on chronic non communicable diseases (NCDs) in Low Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Currently, NCDs appear to be permeating the globe, with an increasing trend in LMIC. The increasing prevalence of NCDs in these countries is attributed to rapid urbanisation, population ageing, globalisation and industrialisation, all of which result in marked changes in patterns of consumption of food and alcohol, increased tobacco use and sedentary lifestyles, high levels of stress and low levels of physical activity. The burden of NCDs is likely to increase tremendously over the coming decades unless there is appropriate action taken to address the risk factors.