Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Jordan, accounting for 78 percent of the Kingdom’s total deaths.
Assistant Secretary-General for Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health Dr. Ghazi Sharkas pointed out that cardiovascular diseases cause 37 percent of deaths, while all types of cancers cause 15 percent of deaths, followed by diabetes (7 percent), and chronic respiratory diseases (3 percent). Also, 15 percent of deaths are caused by other NCDs among Jordanians.
On the occasion of the Global Week for Action on NCDs, Sharkas stressed the need to prevent NCDs, by addressing the risk factors identified by the World Health Organization, which are (tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution).
He called for a rapid, effective, and multi-sectorial response, including strict measures to combat tobacco and alcohol use, avoid sedentary lifestyles, reduce obesity rates, cut down salt intake, and avoid high blood pressure and diabetes by controlling risk factors.
Citing a 2019 Ministry of Health-sanctioned study on NCDs and related risk factors in Jordan, Sharkas said the study revealed that 42 percent of the surveyed population smoke, 76 percent do not participate in any physical activity, while 27.7 percent are either overweight or obese.
The results also showed that the survey population indicated that they add elevated quantities of salt to their diet and consume less fresh fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, diabetes tests returned raised blood glucose rates among 8 percent of the study sample.
Source: Jordan News Ageny