Negotiating Bangladesh’s double disease burden
Bangladesh is currently facing an unprecedented double burden of disease, compounding the archetypal health crises that characterize all developing countries: a millennial-long battle with communicable diseases and maternal and child health problems. The country has double burdens of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with NCD deaths accounting for 67% of all cause mortality. Multiple diseases further complicate this new dilemma.
If we don’t address this metamorphosis immediately with robust public health interventions on all fronts, it could potentially cripple the Indian healthcare infrastructure and lead India back to societal darkness.
Non-Communicable Diseases in the Limelight
NCDs.1 Noncommunicable diseases They are the leading causes of death as well as disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in Bangladesh, and include heart attacks, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, cancers, diabetes, and so on. This results in the phenomenon that many non-communicable diseases once thought of as western ‘lifestyle’ problems are now endemic to low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, where urbanisation is increasing rapidly along with changes in living standards such as more sedentary occupations.
Bangladesh, a low- and middle-income country, has observed a higher prevalence of preliminary studies, with an extension of two years. To compare the general population burden of prevalent NCDs in rural and urban areas in Bangladesh, the following analysis was conducted: as the predominant noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular accidents. We calculated the morbidity between November 2009 and April 2010 within the same area. Duck incidence cases arise from various causes such as hypertension or IHD. Tobacco After including CVA, consumption will rise rapidly. Dietary effects include inadequacy and a lack of nutritious foods. Sedentary behaviour that lacks Physical activity is much longer. Annotate each expression. The increased prevalence of hypertension and obesity associated with urbanization is leading to a cardiovascular disease epidemic.
Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Chronic respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, are important drivers of the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (Earle et al. 2015), along with increasing tobacco smoking consumption and exposure to household air pollution. One of the most important problems, especially in rural areas, is cooking with solid fuels.
Diverse types of cancers: In the 21st century, there has been an increase in the prevalence of several types of cancer. Lung Breast Cervix Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and tobacco use, as well as access to timely diagnosis and treatment, represent the driving factors behind this burden. The lack of public awareness, combined with systematic screening for other cancers, exacerbates the situation.
Diabetes: Diabetes is another road to becoming unhealthy, as it mostly falls due to factors like dietary (eating) habits and insufficient exercise. The surge in obesity, a significant diabetes risk factor, reflects what is happening elsewhere, among other countries undergoing rapid socio-economic changes.
Top Risk Factors: Tobacco, Poor Diet and Lack of Exercise
Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity—three main lifestyle risk factors—account for a substantial proportion of the increase of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) burden in Bangladesh.
Nicotine Products: Approximately 35% of adults in Bangladesh consume nicotine products, and the nation ranks among top tobacco-consuming countries globally. Consumption of tobacco products and chewing smokeless is a widespread practice among almost everyone, regardless of whether they belong to any stratum. While the consumption of tobacco is a public health disaster, contributing significantly to cardiovascular disease and stroke and causing various cancers along with respiratory problems.
Unhealthy Diet: In Bangladesh, there is a rapid shift from traditional dietary patterns to calorie-dense, high-salt/sugar/fat processed foods. And this has subsequently influenced the rise of obesity, which is now an epidemic, along with other non-communicable diseases. Urban areas all have greater access to fast food and sugary drinks, while a decline in healthy eating habits exists.
Sedentary Lifestyle: The rise in urbanization leads to lifestyle changes that discourage physical exercise. Thus, this includes changes that are related to sedentary work environments (office jobs) and mechanised transportation. Most of us are not exercising enough, which is the single biggest contributor to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Public health and policy implications
The growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is placing immense pressure on the healthcare system in Bangladesh. Historically, the system has prioritized the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Public and private health providers need to pay a hefty cost for treating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In addition, NCDs have a huge bearing on the quality of life for individuals and collectively as they depress national economic productivity. Indeed, they often result in chronic disability and premature death.
Key elements that should inform a holistic approach to addressing this unfolding crisis in Bangladesh are as follows:
Boost prevention: We should focus public health campaigns on reducing tobacco use, promoting healthy diets, and encouraging physical activity. This will include measures to reduce tobacco usage through tougher regulation of such products, public awareness, and community programs that encourage good health practices.
Access to care: Ensuring access to early diagnosis and treatment of NCDs is crucial. To manage NCDs (non-communicable diseases) successfully, we need to concentrate on healthcare infrastructure and training of professionals in addition to ensuring an adequate supply chain for essential drugs.
Advancing Policy and Legislative Efforts: Application of taxes on sugary drinks, regulation of food marketing, and creation of smoke-free environments could reduce several risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). By focusing on primary and secondary prevention, national strategies can more effectively target current trends.
Community Engagement: By engaging communities in activities promoting health, it is possible to influence community norms and behaviours towards tobacco use, diet, and physical activity. That said, I also believe that grassroots efforts aiming at behavioural change with the help of building partnerships with Easton local organisations can make a significant difference.
Conclusion
Bangladesh is making progress in improving public health now. The rising problem in terms of managing communicable and non-communicable ailments entails emergency measures implemented quite aggressively as well. The Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases A WHO framework for implementation to reverse the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), it is necessary to address tobacco consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. Bangladesh can help address the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and move towards a healthier future through prevention, increased access to healthcare services, and supportive legislation. Some things must be done quickly before the weight is too heavy.