Collective action against noncommunicable diseases

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming at least 43 million lives in 2021 or 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

- TEODORO B. PADILLA

Alarmingly, 18 million of those deaths occurred before age 70, and over 80% of these premature deaths happened in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs).

Cardiovascular diseases accounted for most noncommunicable disease deaths, followed by cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. These four conditions represent 80% of all premature NCD-related deaths globally.

In the Philippines, NCDs account for 68% of total deaths. Filipino adults face a 29% chance of dying between ages 30 and 70 due to one of the four major NCDs. From January to August 2024, four of the five leading causes of death in the country — ischemic heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease (including stroke and aneurysm) and diabetes — were all NCDs. Combined, these accounted for 47% of all deaths in that period.

Beyond the human toll, the economic burden is also immense. NCDs cost the Philippine economy an estimated P756.5 billion annually, equivalent to 4.8% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This includes both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity and diminished workforce participation. Notably, indirect costs are estimated to be nine times higher than direct medical expenditures.