Non-Communicable Diseases Overview

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

• NCDs are medical conditions that are not infectious and not transmissible.
• NCDs are the leading cause of death globally, especially cardiovascular problems.
• Key risk factors for NCDs include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress.

Key Characteristics of NCDs

• Lifestyle-related NCDs are caused or worsened by unhealthy lifestyle choices.
• Common risk factors include poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

• Cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases) involve the heart and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins).
• Cerebrovascular diseases are a group of brain dysfunctions related to diseases of the blood vessels supplying the brain.

National Hypertension Awareness Month

• May is designated as National Hypertension Awareness Month.
• The goal is to educate Filipinos about hypertension and stroke warning signs, and encourage consistent blood pressure checks.
• The campaign aims to reduce the incidence of hypertension.

Hypertension

• Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 140 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 90 mmHg.
• Artheroscleriosis is a form of cerebrovascular disease. It involves the deposition of fats and cholesterol within the arteries' wall.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable lung disease.
• It's characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation.

The National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP)

• The NLHEP aims to promote lung health, prevent respiratory diseases, and increase public awareness of the risks of smoking and environmental factors.
• The program aims to reduce COPD, asthma, and lung cancer by promoting prevention, early detection, education, and improved access to healthcare.

Diabetes Mellitus

• Diabetes mellitus is a serious, chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels.
• It's due to the body's inability to produce enough insulin or to effectively use the produced insulin.

Global Diabetes Compact

• The Global Diabetes Compact aims to support countries in developing effective diabetes prevention and management programs, and to improve access to diabetes medications and technologies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
• The vision is to reduce the risk of diabetes and ensure that all people with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable, and quality treatment and care.

Visual Impairment Program (AO 179 Series of 2004 National Prevention of Blindness Program)

• The mission of the Visual Impairment Program is to strengthen partnerships among stakeholders to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Philippines, empower communities to play an active role in eye health promotion, provide access to quality eye care, and work toward poverty alleviation through preservation.
• The goal is to reduce avoidable blindness in the Philippines through quality eye care to enable all Filipinos to enjoy the right to sight by 2020.

Mental Health

• Mental health is a state of well-being where individuals can cope with life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to their communities.
• The mhGAP (Mental Health Gap Action Programme) is a WHO program designed to boost mental health services specifically in low- and middle- income countries by expanding services for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder characterized by a decline in memory, thinking, learning, and organizational skills, commonly impacting individuals over 65.

Renal Disease

• Renal disease damages the kidneys, the bean-shaped organs filtering blood to produce urine.
• Kidney disease includes chronic and acute kidney disease.

Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Disease

• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy eating
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Exposure to viruses
• Radiation

Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases

• The best way to prevent NCDs is for individuals to understand their causes and factors that influence their progression to implement prevention, or at least delay the onset.

Laws Affecting Non-Communicable Diseases

• Republic Act No. 11036 (Mental Health Law)
• Republic Act No. 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons)
• Republic Act No. 11332 (Law on Reporting Communicable Diseases)
• Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act)