Catalyzing multisectoral actions to reduce Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors
Overview
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung diseases are the predominant killers in Thailand causing an estimated 400,000 deaths each year (or 74% of all deaths). Moreover, NCDs are a huge economic burden costing the Thai society an estimated THB 280 billion in 2013. Behavioural risk factors for NCDs (tobacco use, insufficient physical activity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet) and metabolic risk factors (raised blood pressure, overweight/obesity, raised cholesterol and raised blood sugar) are highly prevalent in the Thai population. To tackle NCDs and risk factors, Thailand has developed a national NCD strategic plan, and adopted nine national targets in line with the global targets.
Key facts
Today, NCDs, primarily heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases, account for 74% of deaths in Thailand, or 400 000 people each year.
NCDs are draining Thailand’s health budget for universal health coverage (UHC) and hitting the national economy hard. In 2009, the economic cost of NCDs was an estimated 198,512 million THB, or 2.2% of GDP, due to premature deaths and loss of productivity among the workforce.
