Non-communicable diseases in South-East Asia: journeying towards the SDG target

30 October 2023

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Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) caused nearly two

thirds of all deaths in countries of World Health Organization

(WHO) South-East Asia Region (SE Asia Region)

in 2021, with half of these deaths in the age group

30–69 years.1 Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (3.9

million), account for most NCD deaths, followed by

cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Against the backdrop of the unfinished agenda on

maternal and child health, and the re-emerging threat of

communicable diseases, countries have taken up NCDs

as a priority public health agenda. High level political

advocacy accompanied by WHO guidance and tools

including the NCD surveillance dashboard, have helped

gather momentum and increase accountability for

NCDs.2 The past decade has seen countries put in place

policies, plans and programmes to reduce risk and

manage NCDs.3 By 2021, ten countries had integrated

national NCD action plans, committed to the SDG 3.4

target of 33.3% relative reduction of the probability of

premature NCD mortality by 2030, and set time bound

targets on NCD risk factors and management.2

WHO Team

WHO Headquarters (HQ)