Non-Communicable Diseases on the Rise in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Underappreciated Threat of a Dual Disease Burden

Abstract. In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains under appreciated, but emerging evidence suggests it to be substantial. NCDs such as arterial hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney diseases are especially relevant, and put additional strain on the already challenged health systems in this region. Moreover, NCDs appear to be associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates and are more common in younger population groups, in people from sub-Saharan Africa when compared to more developed countries. In this review, we summarize the current literature on the burden of NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa, and highlight the clinical implications of the most relevant etiologies, i.e. arterial hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney diseases.