A prerequisite for sustainable human development, which is a central part of the post-2015 Development Framework, is ensuring physical and mental wellbeing for all. The MDG framework, so far, has successfully prioritised health issues facing the poorest world in 2000. The progress must carry on in the post-2015 era also.
According to a report on Global Burden of Disease 2010 (GBD 2010), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are causing huge deaths (36 million/year) and disability worldwide. Developing countries are hit the hardest- 86 per cent of these deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 29 per cent of NCD deaths occur among people under the age of 60, compared to 14 per cent in high-income countries. Hence, for improving the health of the population, these preventable diseases should be taken into account while setting up the post-2015 development agenda.
A briefing paper from the NCD Alliance first pointed out the inter-linkage between NCDs and the three pillars of sustainable development- environmental, social and economic.
The NCD risks often stem from unsustainable environmental systems and practices, such as those related to agriculture and urbanisation. People in LMICs are increasingly exposed to these NCD risks as environment around them changes faster than their resources and capacities can protect them.
As global demand for meat and dairy products rises, populations are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. They face a host of environmental impacts: land degradation, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, modern intensive agricultural system focuses on a limited number of cash crops leading to the decrease in food diversity and variation in our daily food menu. Enabling sustainable agriculture can play a role in providing people healthy diets that can help prevent NCDs.
Besides, we need strong policies to shift agriculture production slightly from commodities such as meat, dairy products, palm oil, and tobacco to more fruits and vegetables. This policy shift may enhance food security and reduce obesity which is a core risk factor of some NCDs.
As policy-makers search for ways to reduce poverty and income inequality to achieve sustainable income growth, they are being encouraged to focus on NCDs which have been seen as a clear threat to economic growth. Half of those who die of chronic NCDs are in the prime of their productive ages, and thus, the disability imposed and the lives lost are also endangering industry competitiveness across borders.
In Bangladesh, out-of-pocket household expenditures at drug outlets account for nearly half (46 per cent) of total health sector's expenditures, making over-the-counter household purchases of drugs by far the single largest expenditure item within the sector. A report by the WHO underlines that population-based measures for reducing tobacco and harmful alcohol use, as well as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are estimated to cost US$ 2 billion per year for all LMICs like Bangladesh which in fact translates into less than US$ 0.40 per person. Therefore, it would be illogical and irresponsible to care about economic growth and simultaneously ignore NCDs. Interventions in this area will undeniably be costly. But inaction is likely to be far more costly.
Social determinants, such as education and income, influence vulnerability to NCDs. In Bangladesh, where education and financial status are generally low, people are increasingly exposed to NCD risk factors and disproportionately affected by NCDs.
Moreover, NCDs may also contribute to social inequalities. The costs, associated with NCDs, increase the risk of children missing school and cause the risk of poverty for the rest of their lives. Addressing the social determinants of NCDs and health more broadly will augment progress towards poverty eradication and foster a more equitable society that supports sustainable development. Human health contributes to benefits from our progress towards a sustainable future, and it can be assumed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without focusing on health. The time to act is now.
--The writer is Associate Coordinator, Eminence
Email: fuad@eminence-bd.org
Pillars of sustainable development
Mehedi Hasan Fuad | Published: September 06, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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