NCD Prevention and Control: What is the Major Global Challenge?

I believe the biggest challenge facing NCD prevention and control today is successfully intervening in tobacco usage, the harmful consumption of alcohol, and the improvement of diet and physical activity. Although there are upward trends in the overall awareness of the negative health impact of these three factors, a large number of the worldwide population is still affected by health issues directly correlated to them. Especially in Europe, the negative effects of heavy alcohol use and the smoking of tobacco are widely known; however, this has not yet slowed the population from continuing harmful engagement with these substances. Additionally, with the growth of installed fast food restaurants and the rising costs of organic, fresh foods, diabetes and obesity have become increasingly major health threats, and are projected to affect an increasingly large percentage of the population in the coming decades.

The main challenge appears to be the need for a cultural and environmental overhaul in order to successfully prevent and control NCDs. In my opinion, the core issue is in the attitude of the population towards these substances. How often have we, speaking for the Western European population, not been exposed to the now obvious health risks of tobacco and alcohol consumption? Many studies have been published, many campaigns have been run through many different communication channels, but the substance abuse prevails. Naturally, these efforts must have had some effect since there is a steady decrease; however, there is such a cultural and environmental attitude towards these substances that a large number of the population continues to abuse them. Especially the use of alcohol is extremely widespread and normalized; “having a drink or two” has become culturally ingrained in Western Europe to such an extent it is frowned upon when a person declares an intention to not drink. How are we going to change this attitude and effectively prevent and control NCDs?

I think the major challenge lies in how to change this attitude in a sustainable and definite way. It is not merely a challenge of health, but also a challenge of economics. Creating awareness costs money, and the budget is never big enough. The services needed for preventing, intervening, and controlling can realistically speaking not all be provided simultaneously. There is a necessity for prioritization, but what will be prioritized? How can it be decided which service is more urgent than another? NCDs are an issue rooted in so many areas; what is the strategy that combines and targets all areas successfully? It appears only time will tell.

With the eye on the current health situation, we do need to bring results to the table fast. This being said, I believe that with combined global efforts we will be able to come up with a viable solution, and successfully tackle the increasing threat of NCDs.