Increasing Burden of Chronic Diseases in the Ghanaian Population: Need for Behavioral Inteventions with Effective Implementation to support the WHO PEN program

Increasing burden of chronic diseases in the Ghanaian population

  • Ibrahim Issah Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
  • Susan Roberts Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover
  • Jessica Kritz Department of Global Health. Georgetown University School of Health, Washington, DC
  • Serwaa Akoto Bawua Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana. Legon, Accra. Ghana. & West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
  • Mary Afua Commeh Non-communicable Diseases Control Programme, Public Health Division - Ghana Health Service Headquarters, Accra.
  • Julius N. Fobil Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana & West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. Legon, Accra .
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2024.6.5.1.686-688
Keywords: Non-communicable diseases, WHO PEN, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancers

Abstract

Approximately 74% of global deaths are caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and mental health disorders [1]. Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) historically had low rates of NCDs but is now experiencing a more rapid increase in deaths from NCDs than anywhere else in the world [2]. In Ghana, NCDs contributed to 43% of all deaths in the latest survey, with cardiovascular diseases being the most common condition [3-6]. Other NCDs of growing concern in Ghana include diabetes mellitus [7], chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) [8], and cancers [9]. NCDs are increasingly
burdening health care services, which were already challenged with other ailments common to low- and middle-income countries, including child undernutrition and infectious diseases.

Published
2024-06-13
Issue
Vol 5 No 1 (2024): Health Sciences Investigations Journal
Section
Short Paper