The Global Health Observatory
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WHO / Blink Media - Neil Nuia
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading cause of mortality in the world. This invisible epidemic is an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinders the economic development of many countries. The burden is growing - the number of people, families and communities afflicted is increasing. Common, modifiable risk factors underlie the major NCDs. They include tobacco, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, overweight/obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood sugar and raised cholesterol. The NCD threat can be overcome using existing knowledge. The solutions are highly cost-effective. Comprehensive and integrated action at country level, led by governments, is the means to achieve success.
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Noncommunicable Diseases Data Portal
Users can explore the data below by country, accessing detailed information on noncommunicable diseases and their key risk factors
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Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting
The main objective of the Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting unit is to support the collection, analysis, and dissemination of country-level risk factor information to inform and improve public health policy.
Noncommunicable diseases
We are responsible for leading, coordinating and monitoring global action to cover additional people with health services, medicines, vaccines, diagnostic and health technologies for the prevention, screening, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. We aim to advance health equity for persons with disabilities, we have a focus on sensory impairments and bring together the work on rehabilitation from across the departments and from the three levels of the organization.
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