Title : Population ageing and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases: Public health and epidemiological implications for developing countries
Abstract:
Ageing of the population has become one of the leading health problems for the 21st century, especially in developing countries, where the health care systems are already stretched thin. Medical advances, improved hygiene conditions, adequate nutrition, and increased accessibility to healthcare services have contributed to an increased longevity of the global population. On one hand, this is a positive change; on the other hand, there has been an increase in the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among older people, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and dementia. Today, many developing nations have to deal with the emergence of NCDs in the context of the presence of various infectious diseases. In turn, this paper focuses on exploring the connection between population aging and the increasing prevalence of NCDs in developing nations based on the approaches of public health and epidemiology. Specifically, the current research investigates the determinants of the problem at hand, such as unhealthy lifestyle, urbanization, poverty, health disparity, poor functioning of healthcare facilities, etc. Moreover, the research will also shed light on some social and economic implications of chronic diseases among the elderly population. Finally, the paper will emphasize the necessity of health promotion and preventive healthcare initiatives in order to solve the problem in question effectively. The management of non-communicable diseases in ageing populations would need to be a joint effort by the government, health care personnel, research organizations, community and international bodies to ensure that older people enjoy healthy lives.
Keywords: Population aging, non-communicable diseases, epidemiology, public health, healthy aging, developing countries.
