Acting on non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income tropical countries

作者：Ezzati Majid^*; Pearson Stuttard Jonathan; Bennett James E; Mathers Colin D

来源：Nature, 2018, 559(7715): 507-516.

DOI：10.1038/s41586-018-0306-9

The classical portrayal of poor health in tropical countries is one of infections and parasites, contrasting with wealthy Western countries, where unhealthy diet and behaviours cause non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease and cancer. Using international mortality data, we show that most NCDs cause more deaths at every age in low-and middle-income tropical countries than in high-income Western countries. Causes of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries include poor nutrition and living environment, infections, insufficient taxation and regulation of tobacco and alcohol, and under-resourced and inaccessible healthcare. We identify a comprehensive set of actions across health, social, economic and environmental sectors that could confront NCDs in low- and middle-income tropical countries and reduce global health inequalities.

• 出版日期2018-7-26