The latest Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Risk Factors STEPS Survey in Nepal 2019 shows that unhealthy behavior remains high amongst the Nepali people.
Unhealthy behavior (risk factors) such as tobacco and alcohol use; unhealthy diets; lack of physical activity; and metabolic risk factors like raised blood glucose, raised blood pressure, raised blood cholesterol, and overweight/obesity; are the important factors responsible for life-threatening illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Hence, to push back NCDs, the new data will provide a basis for discussion to design policies and strategies for better public health. It will also be possible to assess the impact of Nepal’s previous action plans, monitor how risk factors evolve over time, and make comparisons cross countries.
Globally, NCDs continue to become a serious threat to national social and economic development, and are predicted to rise in the coming years, especially in low and lower-middle-income countries, such as Nepal. Hence, since 2014, preventing and controlling NCDs has been one of the WHO Key Priorities in the South-East Asia Region.
Few highlights from the survey:
- Tobacco use is high among men in Nepal with nearly 50% of men (aged 15-69 years) using tobacco (smoke and smokeless);
- 1/3rd of the population at home, and 2 out of 5 at workplace, were exposed to second hand smoke,
- 97% of the Nepali people eat insufficient fruits and vegetables: only 3% eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (as recommended by WHO);
- Nepalis consume nearly double the amount of salt (per day) than is recommended by WHO (WHO recommends maximum 5gms per day). This in turn leads to hypertension;
- 1/4th of the population suffer from hypertension - a major risk factor for heart diseases and stroke.
You can view data from the latest survey (2019) here.
You can learn more on prevention of NCDs here.
You can learn more on management of NCDs here.