How to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the field of noncommunicable diseases by 2030, according to research in 49 countries

Goal. To analyze chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD) mortality dynamics and associated efforts to reach UN sustainable development goals (SDG) in the area of NCD “by 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCD through prevention and treatment“. Methods. WHO statistics, based on the unified mortality and cause -of- death reports of Member-States countries along with the latest information from global WHO programmes, were used to evaluate NCD mortality trends in 49 countries in 2000, 2010 and 2016 and make comparisons and assessments of different types of community -based, country-wide interventions. Only countries with multiple years of national death registration data and high completeness and quality of cause-of-death assignments were included in the analysis. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, chronic respiratory disease (CRD) bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lung cancer and diabetes mortality were analysed in 36 high income countries (HIC) and 13 middle income countries (MIC). Results. The most visible decline was achieved for bronchial asthma 54%, stroke 43% IHD 30% and COPD 29%. Lung cancer and diabetes mortality decline were not statistically significant. Prevalence of tobacco smoking gradually declined in 84% of countries, 55% of countries demonstrated declining prevalence of raised blood pressure. Obesity prevalence was increasing in all countries. CVD and CRD mortality were higher in MIC. HIC better implemented tobacco and diet reduction measures. Same concerns NCD management approach. Air pollution level was higher in MIC. Conclusions. NCD mortality decline is associated with multiple WHO global life style modifications campaigns, global coordinated prevention and control programmes for hypertension, asthma and COPD and WHO developed “best buy” approach. In order to achieve better results in lung cancer mortality together with early detection, more efforts should be concentrated on early diagnosis, strengthening tobacco cessation, clean air and diet actions. Diet and physical activities along with adequate management and patient education remain key elements to improve diabetes prognosis by the year 2030. Air pollution control could also facilitate achievement of the UN SDG 3.4.