In our day, infectious diseases are no longer at the top of the list of causes of death. The global share of mortality is now dominated by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. These diseases are also strongly linked to lifestyle, urbanization, and an ageing population.
At the same time, what society has treated as a poor relation, such as mental health, hitherto neglected and at times stigmatised, is being recognised as determinative, not merely contributory or consequential, of good health. Deteriorating mental health leads to a poor quality of life, and its impact on physical health not only intensifies but becomes a cycle that affects families and communities.
It is important to consider NCDs together with mental health, given the requirements for sustainable health systems. The universal trend toward reducing NCD mortality rate and increasing mental health services is part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3). The target is to have a one-third reduction of premature deaths from NCDs by 2030 and universal coverage of mental health services.
Reduce NCD Mortality & Promote Mental Health
More than 70% of the world’s annual deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases, and they represent most of those deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Contrary to the infectious epidemics that make the headlines, NCDs progress quietly until a cliff is reached and serious implications manifest. Heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are now public health emergencies on par with what the gold rush or TB once were.
Yet millions of Americans don’t have access to basic medical services, and many who need it aren’t seeking treatment for the mental health problems they may be experiencing: Almost a quarter of all Americans report symptoms of depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder at some point over their lifetimes, but wide treatment gaps remain.
Not only the size of it, but also the stigma and neglect that come with it. We easily ignore the risks of smoking, drinking, and eating badly until there is a disease. Mental health is still covered in silence, so many of us are too afraid to ask for that help. I conflate physical and mental health because if we don’t treat them as one, then premature death, lost productivity, and human suffering will continue in vicious cycles.
The Growing Burden of NCDs
NCDs are often called lifestyle diseases, but that shorthand can be misleading. Lifestyle factors matter too, of course, but environment in the sense of the physical world around people, not just what they add to a salad, and access to health care and social circumstances play equally big roles. Some key drivers include:
- Bad diets are heavy in processed foods, sugar, and salt.
- Usage of tobacco and alcohol raises risks for many chronic diseases.
- Inactive lifestyle compounded by city life, sitting jobs.
- Disease: Air pollution, linked to lung and heart diseases.
- Limited health care access delays diagnosis and treatment.
Mental Health: An Overlooked Crisis
Mental health has spent centuries on the back burner when it came to discussions of public health. Depression is now a leading cause of disability worldwide. American has millions of people suffering from anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse. If these disorders go undiagnosed or untreated, productivity can diminish and relationships fail, perhaps even leading to suicide for some people.
Stigma remains a major barrier. Not just the little people, but many who are Broadway famous won’t even tell their colleagues and friends why they leave work for an hour a week. There aren’t as many mental health resources, and there are fewer professionals than in physical health. Promoting mental health depends on demystifying conversations, funding counselling, and de-medicalizing mental health care.
Strategies to Reduce NCD Mortality
Prevention and early detection are the two key interventions to reduce premature NCD deaths. There are several most effective ways in which it could be done:
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
- Exercising, as well as a good diet and reduced sugar and salt intake, were encouraged.
- Snack taxes or restrictions on advertising junk food, that kind of thing.
Tobacco and Alcohol Control
- Mandatory elevated tariffs on tobacco and alcohol.
- Public awareness of risks.
- Support programs for quitting addictions.
Early Detection and Screening
- Regular checks of blood pressure and screening for diabetes and cancer.
- Affordable medical diagnosis in rural and urban clinics.
Accessible Healthcare
- Strengthening primary healthcare systems.
- More profits on drugs that save people’s lives with chronic illness.
Policy and Regulation
- Walkable, green urban planning.
- Regulations to reduce air pollution.
Strategies to Promote Mental Health
Better mental health requires a mix of recognition, services, and community backing:
Awareness Campaigns
- Normalising the discussion about stress, depression, and anxiety.
- School-Based Coping and Resilience Programs.
Access to Counselling and Therapy
- Training additional psychologists, counsellors, and social workers.
- Free or low-cost service delivery at the primary health care level.
Workplace Mental Health Policies
- Stress management programs.
- Accommodating mental health needs with flexible work arrangements.
Suicide Prevention
- Crisis helplines are available 24/7.
- Early intervention for high-risk groups.
Community Support Systems
- Friends, self-help groups, and family therapy.
- Mental first aid training for community health workers.
Global Goals and Targets
For SDG Target 3.4, the world hopes to:
- Reduce the NCD premature mortality rate by one third by 2030.
- Add mental health and wellness to everyone’s list of global priorities.
Metrics include:
- Deaths from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
- Populations reached by screening programs.
- Availability of essential NCD medicines.
- Suicide rates and mental health care coverage.
- Percentage of national health budgets dedicated to mental health.
FAQs
What are non-communicable diseases (NCDs)?
They are chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer; lung diseases are never passed from person to person.
Why is mental health important for the reduction of NCD suicides?
Poor mental health may worsen chronic diseases, result in reduced treatment adherence rates, and cause death.
What are the global targets for NCDs and mental health?
One-third of premature NCD deaths should be averted by 2030, and access to mental health-related support should be increased.
How can individuals prevent NCDs?
Through a healthy diet, exercise, and by not using tobacco or drinking alcohol, as well as being screened frequently.
What can governments do to address mental health?
They can pay for services, train professionals, and create policies that are established to reduce stigma and ensure parity for these patients when it comes to their care.
