Chronic Diseases Common in Developing Countries

General Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases in Developing Countries

Limited physical activity, consumption of high-density and low-nutrient foods, and having limited access to finances are all risk factors for the development of chronic illness with the exception of obesity. Obesity can be associated with having resources in excess. Tobacco use is another risk factor associated with chronic diseases in developed countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke has been linked to several chronic diseases, including heart disease, lung cancer, sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and severe asthma attacks.

Poor health care is another factor that can contribute to chronic diseases. Lack of access to preventive care, weak priMary care systems that are ill-equipped to respond to budding disease symptomatology, and unaffordable treatments are key ingredients in the emergence of epidemics.

It is noted that there is often a convergence of noncommunicable chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity, or most cancers) and communicable diseases (infections, parasitic diseases, etc.) that produce long-term care needs in developing countries and among vulnerable populations. Low-income countries are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases, often carry the highest disease burdens, and are most susceptible to the negative and positive influences of health behaviors. Over 60 percent of global deaths were produced by preventable chronic diseases and 80 percent of those deaths were located in low-and middle-income countries.

Interventions for Chronic Disease

It is estimated that chronic disease management will cost developing countries $84 billion dollars in 2015, if interventions to decelerate the progression are not implemented. One means of slowing down the advancement is through a population-based approach in which the public is educated (health promotion) on the contributory factors as well as [Page 229]the treatments of chronic disease, to include tobacco use, unhealthy food consumption, and lack of physical activity. Another means of addressing this public crisis is through community-based programs that target high-risk populations and family systems with the purpose of enabling them to become active in their health care while promoting the utilization of community resources and health services. Furthermore, the reduction of saturated fat and the removal of trans fat (unsaturated fat) from manufactured products will also help in the deceleration of chronic diseases in developed and developing countries.

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