Non-communicable diseases in the Arab world.
According to the results of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, the burden of non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases, and diabetes) in the Arab world has increased, with variations between countries of different income levels. Behavioural risk factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity are prevalent, and obesity in adults and children has reached an alarming level. Despite epidemiological evidence, the policy response to non-communicable diseases has been weak. So far, Arab governments have not placed a sufficiently high priority on addressing the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, with variations in policies between countries and overall weak implementation. Cost-effective and evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions have already been identified. The implementation of these interventions, beginning with immediate action on salt reduction and stricter implementation of tobacco control measures, will address the rise in major risk factors. Implementation of an effective response to the non-communicable-disease crisis will need political commitment, multisectoral action, strengthened health systems, and continuous monitoring and assessment of progress. Arab governments should be held accountable for their UN commitments to address the crisis. Engagement in the global monitoring framework for non-communicable diseases should promote accountability for effective action. The human and economic burden leaves no room for inaction.
Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: hanan.arahim@qu.edu.qa.
Hanan F Abdul
HF
Rahim
Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Abla
A
Sibai
Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Yousef
Y
Khader
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Nahla
N
Hwalla
WHO, Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
Ibtihal
I
Fadhil
Community-based Initiatives Department, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman.
Huda
H
Alsiyabi
WHO, Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt.
Awad
A
Mataria
Department of Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
Shanthi
S
Mendis
Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Ali H
AH
Mokdad
Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Ramallah, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territory.
Abdullatif
A
Husseini
D018643:Arab World; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention