The heightened prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in women

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 41 million annual fatalities or 74 percent of all fatalities worldwide. 77 percent of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income nations. The majority of NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people per year, are caused by cardiovascular illnesses, which are followed by malignancies (9.3 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (2 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). Over 80 percent of all NCD-related deaths that occur prematurely are caused by these four disease types. Women and girls are especially at risk because nearly two out of every three of them die from NCDs, which equates to 16.8 million deaths. The problems with women's health in low- and middle-income nations have altered significantly during the past three decades. NCDs, that used to be regarded as diseases of affluence, are now the main cause of death and disability among women in both developing and developed countries. According to Lancet, of the 186 countries and territories studied, women in 164 (88 percent) and men in 165 (89 percent) had a higher chance of dying from an NCD before the age of 70 than from communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases all together. Figure 1: Global NCDs burden across age and gender It is evident from Figure 1 that women are more prone to NCDs than men with health deterioration as they age. Cardiovascular disease accounts for 35 percent deaths in women each year (one in three women) and continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is estimated that by 2045, there will be 308 million more women aged 20 to 79 living with diabetes than there were in 2017. These illnesses account for two out of every three fatalities among women and girls, and are the main cause of death and disability in this population. Women and girls, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, frequently experience a triple burden of disease due to communicable and noncommunicable diseases, as well as problems with reproductive health. The morbidity and mortality caused by NCDs compromise women's sociocultural position in communities and have an effect on their health and development throughout their lives. Women and girls are more prone to experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, both of which have long-term negative impacts on both physical and mental health. Beyond just their personal health, these diseases have a significant influence on women and children. Epidemiology research in human populations and improved knowledge of the epigenetic process now suggest that prenatal events may contribute to the development of diabetes and other NCDs. Undernutrition, delayed physical and cognitive development, and NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in adulthood are all risks associated with being born to a mother who is undernourished.

The morbidity and mortality caused by NCDs compromise women's sociocultural position in communities and have an effect on their health and development throughout their lives.

Tobacco usage, harmful alcohol use, poor food, physical inactivity, and indoor and ambient pollution exposure for women and girls differs from that for men and boys, frequently due to the stigma and societal norms. About 37 percent of adult men and 9 percent of adult women smoke in the world. The exposure and vulnerability to NCD risk factors varies between men and women. Compared to men, women are much more likely to be obese. Overweight or obesity is a severe health concern and is associated with a number of NCDs. An increased risk of morbidity, disability, and death is linked to it. Increased cardiovascular occurrences, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and several cancers, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women, endometrial cancer, colon and kidney cancer, are major risk factors for mortality. Women have, on average, more NCD risk factors than males do, due to risk factors like obesity and inactivity, that have been shown to be more common in women than in men. High healthcare costs, lost productivity, and catastrophic expenses are brought on by NCD. Women make up the bulk of the world's poor, and they are the group least able to afford NCD treatment.

Increased cardiovascular occurrences, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, and several cancers, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women, endometrial cancer, colon and kidney cancer, are major risk factors for mortality.

The vulnerability and health of a woman's children are also impacted by her own health. The risk of undernutrition, low birthweight, and greater susceptibility to NCDs in adulthood are all enhanced in children born to malnourished mothers. So, the wellbeing of women is vital to that of future generations. NCDs are acknowledged as a significant public health concern in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, target 3.4 of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 calls for a reduction in early NCD mortality of one third by 2030. Target 3.4 of the SDG 3 will be met in 35 countries (19 percent for women and 16 percent for men), with a one-third reduction in the probability of dying between the ages of 30 and 70 from cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, compared to 2015 levels. A combination of prevention, early identification, and treatment is necessary for a significant decrease in NCD mortality to reach the SDG 3.4 targets. There is a need for gender sensitive health policies that provide for health insurance and social security to women. To bring about the transformative changes, investment and committments are needed on a global and national scale.

• Healthcare
• India
• diseases
• Gender
• health
• Investment
• Maternal
• noncommunicable
• SDG
• Women

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