Halting the rise of non-communicable diseases: an urgent priority for women's health.

摘要

An epidemic of non-communicable disease is spreading fast amongst women, surrounded by myths and misconceptions that hinder both prevention and treatment. Today non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-namely cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes-are the leading cause of death in women globally, killing a staggering 18 million women each year. No longer diseases of the rich and elderly, NCDs are increasingly impacting on women in developing countries during the prime of their life. The impact of these diseases in women is profound and goes beyond their own health. Women's unique vulnerability to the risk factors for NCDs means that husbands are losing wives and children are losing mothers. Families across the world incur debt and destitution when mothers become disabled by NCDs and struggle to pay for treatment. Every case is a personal tragedy. Collectively the high cost of NCDs in terms of healthcare and lost productivity threatens to undermine gains made in other areas of development and health.