Global Community Failing to Meet Goals to Reduce Mortality Rates for Cancer, Other Diseases

The third UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) will meet on September 27, 2018, to review national and global progress toward preventing and controlling NCDs. However, according to a report in The Lancet, more than half of all UN countries will fail to meet the commitment to reduce premature deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes by 2030. 

In 2016, an estimated 40.5 million (71%) of the 56.9 million deaths worldwide were due to NCDs. Specifically, an estimated 32.2 million NCD deaths (80%) were due to cancer, CVD, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes.  

NCD Countdown 2030: worldwide trends in non-communicable disease mortality and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4 https://t.co/l0SEbBFZDE

— Benjamin P. Geisler (@ben_geisler) September 21, 2018

The lowest risks of NCD mortality in 2016 occurred in high-income countries in Asia-Pacific, western Europe, and Australasia, as well as Canada.  

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 calls for a one-third reduction, relative to 2015 levels, in the probability of dying between 30 years and 70 years of age from cancer, CVD, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes by 2030. Based on the report, this will be achieved by 35 countries (19%) for women and by 30 countries (16%) for men if these countries maintain or surpass the rates that occurred between 2010 and 2016. 

"NCD Countdown 2030: worldwide trends in non-communicable disease mortality and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4" Nice report, but more work is needed on the role of oral health. https://t.co/jODx6lAUvD

— Steve Barefoot, DDS (@BarefootDentist) September 21, 2018

An additional 50 countries (27%) for women and 35 (19%) for men could meet the target at a later date—by 2040.  

Substantial reduction of NCD mortality requires reducing tobacco and alcohol use and blood pressure, as well as offering equitable access to high-quality preventive and curative care for acute and chronic NCDs. 

NCDs account for seven of 10 deaths worldwide. 

More than 25% of adults worldwide are not exercising enough, which is linked to cancer and other diseases. 

Liver cancer mortality is increasing in developed countries, including the United States. 

Source: The Lancet