Can noncommunicable diseases be prevented? Lessons from studies of populations and individuals

Science. 2012 Sep 21;337(6101):1482-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1227001.

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)--mainly cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases--are responsible for about two-thirds of deaths worldwide, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. There is an urgent need for policies and strategies that prevent NCDs by reducing their major risk factors. Effective approaches for large-scale NCD prevention include comprehensive tobacco and alcohol control through taxes and regulation of sales and advertising; reducing dietary salt, unhealthy fats, and sugars through regulation and well-designed public education; increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains by lowering prices and improving availability; and implementing a universal, effective, and equitable primary-care system that reduces NCD risk factors, including cardiometabolic risk factors and infections that are precursors to NCDs, through clinical interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / prevention & control*
  • Diet
  • Health Education
  • Health Policy
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Smoking