Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases (such as heart attacks, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes), are medical conditions that are associated with long durations and slow progress. Most NCDs are non-infectious and they are as result of several factors, including genetic, physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors. However, these diseases cover a wide range of health problems, such as hepatic, renal, and gastroenterological diseases, endocrine, hematological, and neurological disorders, dermatological conditions, genetic disorders, trauma, mental disorders, and disabilities (e.g. blindness and deafness)
There are several factors can increase the number of opportunities to develop NCDs such as high blood pressure, tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, obesity, and high blood cholesterol and other risk factors involve age, gender, genetic factors, race, ethnicity, cultural and environmental parameters.

Why we Care!

The global prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has risen over the past decade, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As the global population ages, the total number of people affected by NCDs has increased even further. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease are the most prevalent ones leading to the death 31 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (Uganda).

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated that concomitant NCDs are the major risk factor for severe infectious-disease morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is not surprising that 85% of premature deaths related to NCDs. These diseases are an increasing concern for society and national governments, as well as globally due to their high mortality rate, NCDs are the silent killers threatening health without showing any symptoms until the problem progresses to an advanced stage. There are low levels of self-reported NCDs compared to the nation-wide established levels, emphasizing the need to better educate, characterize, and care for the majority of rural and urban communities.