Double Burden of Noncommunicable and Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries

Abstract

On top of the unfinished agenda of infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries, development, industrialization, urbanization, investment, and aging are drivers of an epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Malnutrition and infection in early life increase the risk of chronic NCDs in later life, and in adult life, combinations of major NCDs and infections, such as diabetes and tuberculosis, can interact adversely. Because intervention against either health problem will affect the other, intervening jointly against noncommunicable and infectious diseases, rather than competing for limited funds, is an important policy consideration requiring new thinking and approaches.

Self-reported illness and household strategies for coping with health-care payments in Bangladesh

“…[1][2][3][4] In these countries, poverty and illness are closely linked: poverty leads to ill health and ill health perpetuates poverty. 1,2,5 Noncommunicable and infectious diseases cause financial hardship both directly, via out-of-pocket spending on treatment, and indirectly, by limiting participation in income-generating activities.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] In these countries, poverty and illness are closely linked: poverty leads to ill health and ill health perpetuates poverty. 1,2,5 Noncommunicable and infectious diseases cause financial hardship both directly, via out-of-pocket spending on treatment, and indirectly, by limiting participation in income-generating activities. [6][7][8][9] In low-and middle-income countries where public funding for health services is inadequate and mechanisms for "risk-pooling", such as "demand-side" financing and formal health insurance, are limited or unavailable, out-of-pocket payments and illness-related loss of income can lead to asset depletion, debt and reductions in essential consumption that, together, can result in financial catastrophe.…”

Long-Term Complications and their Associated Risk Factors Among Diabetic Patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

“…Globally, diabetic population continues to increase stimulating interest among the clinicians and public health experts. The increase in DM and other noncommunicable diseases has resulted in double burden in low income countries that are already facing a burden of communicable diseases (2) . This double burden now poses a real threat to individual country and regional developments.…”

Bangladesh is Experiencing Double Burden with Infectious Diseases and Non-communicable Diseases (NCD's): An Issue of Emerging Epidemics

“…However, proper understanding of the need for a joint intervention against both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCD's) has arisen only recently 1 . In 2008, the proportion of premature deaths due to NCD's in population under 60 years of age in low-income countries was 41%, in lower middle-income countries 28%, and in highincome countries only 13%2.…”