Africa: Africa's Non-Communicable Diseases Burden Continues to Rise, Latest Study Finds

What the report says

A new analysis cited by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says non-communicable diseases are taking up a larger share of Africa’s health burden. The report, published in Lancet Global Health and based on Global Burden of Disease 2023 data, focuses on the situation in 2023 and is being highlighted by AllAfrica as a sign that chronic conditions are becoming a major public health challenge across the continent.

According to the article, NCDs were linked to an estimated 263 million disability-adjusted life years, 2.33 billion cases and 4.70 million deaths in Africa in 2023. The leading causes of NCD deaths were listed as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive heart disease and diabetes. The main modifiable risk factors named were high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks and air pollution, which together accounted for more than half of NCD deaths.

The piece says the findings underline opportunities for prevention, including healthier diets, lower exposure to air pollution, earlier diagnosis and treatment, and stronger health-system responses. Dr Mohammed Abdulaziz of Africa CDC, identified as one of the study’s authors, said the results reinforce the need for a coordinated continental response to NCDs, injuries and mental health conditions.

Africa CDC says it has already built NCDs into its 2023-2027 strategic plan and is supporting work on surveillance, data use, multisectoral coordination, sickle cell disease, and mental health systems. The broader significance is that countries and regional institutions may need to expand prevention and long-term care as chronic diseases grow alongside infectious disease pressures.