A non-communicable disease (NCD) is one that cannot be passed from person to person through casual contact. These conditions, often known as chronic diseases, have a slow but steady progression over time and can be traced back to a variety of causes, including genetics, physiology, the environment, and even habits. Major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma and other forms of chronic respiratory illness. Noncommunicable diseases have gained recognition as a priority on the public health agendas of nations with lower and moderate incomes. In 2012, they caused 38 million fatalities globally (68%), including 28 million deaths in low and medium-income nations.
Rising rates of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pose a threat to public health in Bangladesh, a lower-middle income country in South Asia. In 2012, NCDs were responsible for 522,300 fatalities, or roughly half of the total mortality rate. Most noncommunicable diseases contain risk factors that, when taken together, can have serious consequences for health.
Urban adults in Bangladesh have been found to have high rates of several health risks, including a lack of fresh produce, cigarette use, an unhealthy diet, a lack of exercise, weight gain, excessive sodium consumption, and hypertension. The 2018 Bangladesh NCD Risk Factor Survey found that a large percentage of the population had three or more risk factors, with the majority having one or two.
Since urban populations are expected to continue growing, it is essential that we work to better treat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and adhere to established protocols to reduce the risks associated with them. For improved urban health systems and safer, healthier settings, the government must prioritize research to generate decisions based on evidence.