A newly released report from the World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) presents clear evidence of the speed and extent of the rise of chronic disease across the Middle East and North Africa.
The report, "The Global Burden of Disease”, is based on a 2010 research study by researchers from 50 countries. By comparing figures from 1990 and 2012 the authors show that while the region has made good progress in tackling infectious, newborn, nutritional, and maternal conditions, the burden of non-communicable diseases is growing alarmingly.
The figures should give regional policy-makers cause to sit up and take notice. Between 1990 and 2010, rates of premature death from chronic diseases increased as follows:
- Diabetes: 87% increase
- Ischemic heart disease: 44% increase
- Stroke: 35% increase
As well as tracking mortality rates, the report shows how preventable risk factors such as poor diets, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking are fuelling the rise in chronic disease. It reveals that in the space of two decades, high blood pressure has risen by 59%, a high body mass index by 138% and high cholesterol by 51%.
Enis Baris, World Bank Sector Manager for Health in the Middle East and North Africa, commented that the figures demonstrate the need to "strengthen health systems for more equitable and effective prevention and care of the region’s main scourges such as diabetes and hypertension", while Ali Mokdad, Director of Middle Eastern Initiatives at IHME, called on countries to "act quickly to address the public health and economic threat posed by uncontrolled high blood pressure and obesity… implementing policies to encourage healthy eating as well as expanding screening and treatment for high blood pressure".
We will be discussing the causes and consequences of the rapid shift in North Africa's disease burden, debating how public health systems (structures and funding models) need to adapt, and exploring opportunities to put citizens in charge of managing their health at The Economist's Algeria's Economic Outlook conference in Algiers on September 23rd. A summary paper will be appearing on our website after the event, for those of you interested in following the discussions.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Economist Intelligence Unit Limited (EIU) or any other member of The Economist Group. The Economist Group (including the EIU) cannot accept any responsibility or liability for reliance by any person on this article or any of the information, opinions or conclusions set out in the article.
