Control of Noncommunicable Diseases Quiz

Control of Noncommunicable Diseases

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally.
• 63% of global deaths are attributed to NCDs, while 37% are due to communicable diseases (WHO, 2010).
• In the Philippines, 75% of deaths are attributed to NCDs, with 30-50% occurring before age 60 (Ulep, 2012).
• NCDs are chronic, noninfectious, and nontransmissible medical conditions.
• NCDs interfere with daily life and are characterized by signs and symptoms lasting more than 6 months.
• NCDs are often referred to as "lifestyle-related" diseases.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

• Cardiovascular disease encompasses diseases related to the heart and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins).
• Commonly referred to as "heart disease".
• Cerebrovascular disease involves various brain dysfunctions related to diseases of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
• Common causes include atherosclerosis and hypertension.
• Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels marked by fat and cholesterol deposits within artery walls (WHO, 2011).

Hypertension and Atherosclerosis

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg.
• Atherosclerosis involves the deposition of fats and cholesterol within the walls of arteries.
• Uncontrolled hypertension and atherosclerosis can lead to various complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2010).

Contributing Factors

• Genetic makeup
• Socioeconomic status
• Mental health
• Diet
• Overweight and obesity
• Inactivity
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol use
• Diabetes
• Globalization and urbanization

Prevention

• Focus on risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
• Implement medical screenings for those at risk.
• Provide effective and affordable treatments to affected individuals.

Cancer

• Cancer, or malignant neoplasms, involve a group of diseases with unregulated cell growth (Newtow, 2009).
• Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors and invading body parts.
• Carcinogens are substances that cause genetic mutations in cells.

Risk Factors for Cancer

• Tobacco use
• Unhealthy diet
• Insufficient physical activity
• Harmful alcohol use
• Infections (e.g., hepatitis B, C, HPV, Helicobacter pylori)
• Radiation exposure
• Environmental and occupational exposures

Majority of Cancer Deaths

• High-income countries: The leading causes are lung cancer (men) and breast cancer (women).
• Low- and middle-income countries: Cancer rates vary depending on prevailing risks, and cervical cancer may be a leading cause of death among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Screening for Cancer

• Cancer screening detects warning signals of the disease.
• Examples of warning signals include changes in bowel or bladder habits, unusual bleeding, sores that don't heal, lumps or thickenings, indigestion issues, changes in moles, chronic cough, unexplained anemia, or sudden weight loss. (American Cancer Society, 2010).

WHO's Approach to Cancer

• Prevention
• Early detection
• Screening
• Treatment
• Palliative care

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• COPD is a lung disease where airways narrow over time.
• It includes chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema.
• 7% of global deaths are related to chronic respiratory diseases (WHO, 2010).
• Smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, with 15% of smokers developing the disease.
• Second-hand smoke and pollution also contribute to COPD.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar.
• This occurs because the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't respond appropriately to insulin.
• Long-term complications include heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, and neural damage.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Increased frequency and amount of urination (polyuria)
• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Increased hunger (polyphagia)
• Weight loss, vision changes, and fatigue.

Prevention of Diabetes

• Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
• Engage in regular physical activity (30 minutes or more most days)
• Early diagnosis (relatively inexpensive blood tests)
• Treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar and levels of other known risk factors.
• Cessation of tobacco use.

Other Cost-Saving Interventions for Diabetes

• Screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness)
• Blood lipid control to regulate cholesterol levels
• Screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease.

Risk Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases

• Physical inactivity: Defined as less than 5 times 30 minutes of moderate activity per week, or less than 3 times 20 minutes of vigorous activity per week (WHO, 2011). Physical activity is crucial for energy expenditure and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Cigarette smoking: A primary risk factor for NCDs (Gruber and Zinman, 2001). It harms blood vessels, reduces HDL cholesterol, and lessens oxygen in the blood. Chemicals in cigarettes cause cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2004), and lead to cancers of the lungs, mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus (Laudico, 2010).
• Unhealthy eating: "Obesogenic" eating is a key contributor to global increases in cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and obesity (WHO, 2002). High intakes of saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, coupled with low fruit/vegetable/fish intake, are linked to overweight and obesity. (WHO, 2011)
• Excessive alcohol drinking: Can cause malabsorption, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), liver problems, and cancer. It is associated with colon and rectal cancer (Bongaerts et al., 2006).
• Viruses: Viruses play a significant role in causing certain cancers (Philippine Cancer Society, 2010). They induce mutations by damaging DNA chains (eg. HPV, Epstein-Barr virus, HTLV-1, HBV, HCV, and various oncoviruses)
• Radiation: Ionizing radiation damages tissue and cells by breaking the DNA molecule (Newton, 2009), a primary cause of UV and skin cancers globally (Cadet et al., 2005).

Prevention of NCDs

• Promote physical activity and exercise.
• Promote a healthy diet and nutrition.
• Promote a smoke-free environment.
• Manage stress.

Laws Affecting NCD Control

• EO No. 958: National Healthy Lifestyle Advocacy Campaign
• RA No. 1054: Free emergency medical and dental treatment for employees.
• RA No. 9211: Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003
• RA No. 6425: Penalties for violations of the Dangerous Drug Act (1972).
• RA No. 9165 : Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002
• RA No. 8423: Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (1997)
• AO No. 179 s2004 : Guidelines for the Implementation of the National Prevention of Blindness Program
• Department Personnel Order No. 2005-0547 : Creation of a Program Management Committee for the National Prevention of Blindness Program
• Proclamation No. 40: Declaring August as "Sight Saving Month"
• RA No. 7277 : Magna Carta for Disabled Persons
• RA No. 10352 : An act restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco