Abstract
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in almost all countries of the world and endanger the life and health of people as well as society as a whole. They are the cause of 60 percent of global mortality and 47 percent of total morbidity. The most common are diseases of the heart and blood vessels, malignant diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and others. NCD diseases impair human health, affect the significant burden on the health system, reduce productivity and thus significantly affect the quality of life. In terms of the burden of non-communicable diseases in Montenegro, it is similar to that seen in the rest of Europe and most countries around the world.
Keywords: Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases; Epidemic; Morbidity; Mortality
Abbreviations: NCDs: Non-Communicable Diseases; UN: United Nations; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; WHO: World Health Organization
Short Communication
“In Montenegro, as in the world, more than any other health
problem are chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs
aim to form an alliance of a multidisciplinary team of professionals
from various fields of biomedicine, health and economics” [1].
The United Nations (UN) clearly informs us that the prevention
and control of NCDs cannot be achieved without the use of a
“whole society approach”, i.e., society as a whole, to make positive
behavioral changes to reduce the risks of NCDs, as well as other
preventable diseases [1]. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic
respiratory diseases and diabetes are among the leading causes
of death and disability in the region, and an increasing number
of children and adults live with overweight or obesity [2]. In the
developed countries of the world, NCD is the leading public health
problem to which the aging population and modern lifestyle
contribute to urbanization, industrialization and lifestyle habits
harmful to health (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, improper diet, etc.)
[3]. The burden on NCDs has been increasing, especially in low /
middle income countries. Globally, an estimated 40.5 million in
2016 due to NCDs. Eighty percent of their deaths were caused by
diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic
respiratory disease and diabetes.
Nearly 80% of deaths from NCDs occur in people living in sub-
Saharan Africa who face the highest risk of death [4]. Although
preventable, NCDs are the leading global causes of morbidity and
mortality, absenteeism, disability and premature death. According
to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 36
million people die from NCDs annually, which is about 63% of the
57 million global deaths. About 16 million people die prematurely,
before the age of 70, during the most productive period of life [5,6].
The presence of numerous risk factors that over time lead to the
manifestation of the disease, and the importance of chronic noncommunicable
diseases is recognized today on a global scale as
a threat to human health and development in most countries [7].
Our health care system is relatively small, which is affected by a
population of 640,000 inhabitants, according to which Montenegro
is one of the small countries, in which according to 2007 data, the birth rate was 12.44 per 1,000 inhabitants, mortality rate 9.51
per 1,000 population, which conditioned a positive rate of natural
increase of 2.93 per 1,000 inhabitants.
NCDs are the leading causes of illness, disability and premature
death of the population before the age of 65. This system, although
small, is also affected by the socio-economic situation, low
level of GDP and high unemployment rate, as a serious limiting
factor for sustainable financing of health care [8]. “The situation
in Montenegro in terms of the burden of non-communicable
diseases is very similar to that seen in the rest of Europe and most
countries around the world” [9]. The consequences of the socalled
epidemiological transition can be seen here. According to
available data on deaths in Montenegro from 2010 to 2015, chronic
non-communicable diseases are the cause of about ¾ of the total
number of deaths. Of the total number of deaths, almost half of the
diseases were caused by heart and blood vessel diseases and almost
a quarter by malignant diseases. We still cannot speak reliably
about the data on the incidence of non-communicable diseases in
Montenegro, because only since 2013, registers for the following
non-communicable diseases have been established: malignancies,
diabetes, acute coronary syndrome and cerebrovascular diseases
[9]. Four additional implementation objectives are directly
related to the prevention and control of NCDs: Strengthen the
implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control in all countries, as appropriate.
Support the research and development of vaccines and
medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases that
primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable
essential medicines and vaccines. Health financing, employment,
development, training and retention of a health workforce in
developing countries, especially in the least developed countries
and small developing countries. “The strategic goals we have
stated, which were adopted by the World Health Organization
(WHO), should support a lifelong approach to health, which
promotes healthy behavior, i.e., healthy lifestyles as well as good health, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, risk management,
rehabilitation, treatment and care ” [10-12]. The conclusion and
the main goal that arises from this statement is to strengthen
capacities at the global level, especially in developing countries, in
order to reduce the risk of developing chronic non-communicable
diseases, i.e., their threat to the health of the population and the
socio-economic development of the country.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declares no conflict of interest.
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