Historical general education
Resources
What are non-communicable diseases?
The term “non-communicable disease” covers a very broad range of conditions. Some epidemiologists use “chronic disease” or “non-infectious disease” as equivalent terms.
NCD overview
Examples of non-communicable diseases:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic disorders
- Injuries and violence
- Psychiatric disorders
- Atopic disorders
- Reproductive outcomes
Collectively, NCDs are the leading cause of death for women worldwide. They cause 65% of all female deaths, amounting to 18 million deaths each year.1
Ten Leading Global Causes of Death in Females (2008)1
- Cardiovascular diseases – 33.2%
- Infectious and parasitic diseases – 13.9%
- Cancer – 13.0%
- Respiratory diseases – 7.3%
- Respiratory infections – 6.6%
- Unintentional injuries – 5.1%
- Perinatal conditions – 5.0%
- Digestive diseases – 3.1%
- Diabetes mellitus – 2.6%
- Neuropsychiatric conditions – 2.3%
WHO identifies four main shared risk factors for NCDs. These modifiable risk factors are responsible for the majority of new cases of NCDs.
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
- Harmful use of alcohol
Women experience several challenges in accessing care as well as prevention services for NCDs. Women’s Global Health Network hopes to change that.
1World Health Organization (2008) Global Burden of Disease 2004 Update Geneva
Reviewed destinations
Educational Resources
Endemic Non-Communicable Diseases
- Delivering Healthy Lives and Well-Being for Women and Girls: Noncommunicable Diseases and Universal Health Coverage(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- The Economic Implications on Non-Communicable Disease in India(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- Deaths from NCDs(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Non-Communicable Diseases(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Cardiovascular Diseases(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Cancers(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Respiratory Disease(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Diabetes(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Tobacco(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- WHO: Unhealthy Diets & Physical Activity(external resource, opens in a new tab)
Documentation on Women and NCDs
- Non-Communicable Diseases: A Priority for Women’s Health and Development(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- Women and the Rapid Rise of Noncommunicable Diseases(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- Non-Communicable Diseases: Global Health and Women(external resource, opens in a new tab)
- Mobilizing Women in the Fight Against NCDs(external resource, opens in a new tab)