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[Non transmissible chronic diseases. A preventive approach]
1Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago.
Insights
Non-transmissible chronic diseases are a growing cause of death in Chile. Prevention through lifestyle changes and targeted interventions is crucial for public health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Preventive Medicine
Context:
- Non-transmissible chronic diseases, accidents, and violence account for a significant and increasing proportion of mortality in Chile.
- This trend mirrors global patterns, with a notable rise in Chile from 34% to 64% over three decades.
Purpose:
- To highlight the escalating burden of non-transmissible chronic diseases in Chile.
- To emphasize the critical need for evidence-based preventive strategies targeting modifiable risk factors.
Summary:
- Key risk factors identified include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.
- Effective prevention necessitates population-level interventions promoting healthy habits and targeted actions for high-risk individuals.
- Community engagement, media involvement, and robust population education, especially for youth, are essential.
Impact:
- Implementing comprehensive preventive programs can mitigate the rising mortality from chronic diseases.
- Adopting successful models like the Interhealth Project can guide effective public health initiatives.
- Improving health habits and controlling risk factors will lead to better population health outcomes in Chile.
Abstract:
Non transmissible chronic diseases, accidents and violence cause 70-80% of deaths in developed countries and 40-50% in underdeveloped ones, including Chile. Their relative contribution to mortality in Chile has increased from 34% to 64% in the last 30 years. Prevention is possible by controlling risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, obesity, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Preventive programs should be implemented based on available studies of the epidemiology of risk factors in our country. Population intervention to obtain better health habits and special actions for individuals with risks factors must be employed. Local health services, the community and the media must participate, the cornerstone of the program being population education, particularly those of younger age. A model to be followed is the Interhealth Project, sponsored by WHO and led by Finland (North Karelia).