Noncommunicable Diseases

Key Facts:

  • Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 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.
  • 77% of all NCD deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (1.5 million).
  • These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
  • Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
  • Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) or Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the 1st cause of death and disability worldwide.

The term NCDs refers to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute infection, result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. These five main NCDs are cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic lung illnesses and Mental health conditions.

Many NCDs can be prevented by reducing common risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, physical inactivity and eating unhealthy diets. Many other important conditions are also considered NCDs, including injuries and mental health disorders.

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The WHO Regional Office for Africa has worked with Member States and partners to strengthen the prevention and management of NCDs, mental, neurologic, and substance use disorders to achieve the Sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from NCDs by a third by 2030.

To do this, the WHO Regional Office for Africa has taken leadership in coordination, partnership, and resource mobilization; contributed to the generation of strategic information and knowledge products; developed technical products, services, and tools; and facilitated country support through technical assistance and capacity strengthening. 

Based on the Brazzaville declaration on NCD prevention and control in the WHO African Region in 2011, priority areas of NCDs in the WHO African Region include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell diseases), mental disorders, oral diseases, eye and ear disorders, in addition to violence and injuries.

In recent years, the WHO Regional Office for Africa has developed various regional NCD strategies, including:

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