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OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION Global Health eMagazine July 2023 Highlights Among the Letters Reflections Hispanic and Latinx Voices Global Local Art to Remind Us of Who We Can Be Our Beautiful Planet Voices of Ugandan Students Nursing Division Congratulations Video of the Month Article of the Month Calendar Global Health Family Photo News Resources Previous Issues of the eMagazine The Voice of Ugandan Students Section Editor: Joshua Matusuko HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOUTH: COMBATING THE RISING BURDEN OF NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN UGANDA Written by Joshua Matusuko Medical student at MaKCHS Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease, are now the leading cause of death in most regions of the world. Africa, home to 54 low- and middle-income countries, is expected to have the world’s largest increase in NCD deaths over the next decade. This will impose a significant burden to the continent, which is also projected to see its population double within the next generation. NCDs not only affect the health of a population, but also negatively impact the socioeconomic development of countries creating a financial burden on the healthcare system and lowering the productivity of those who get ill or pass away. Sadly, 85% of premature deaths due to NCDs occur in low- and middleincome countries, where resources are already scarce. Premature deaths from NCDs are largely caused by modifiable risk factors including tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. Although communicable diseases and other conditions still predominate in sub-Saharan Africa, NCDs are projected to become the leading cause of death by 2030. In Uganda, 33% of total deaths are due to NCDs and for every citizen the probability of dying prematurely from one of the four main NCDs is 22%. Although smoking has declined in Uganda, 15% of men and 3% of women still frequent tobacco products. Alcohol use is another NCD risk factor with a relatively high prevalence in Uganda. Different studies have recorded Uganda to be the biggest alcohol consumer per capita in Africa and among the biggest alcohol consumers in the world. Unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity are all increasing problems in the country and the prevalence of overweight and obesity has been on the rise over recent years. Nearly one fifth of adults have high blood pressure, and about 3% have diabetes. Furthermore, Uganda is one of the countries with the highest rates of traffic accident fatalities, with an estimated 29 deaths per 100,000 population in 2016. 30 Students continued on next page >>
OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION Global Health eMagazine July 2023 Highlights Among the Letters Reflections Hispanic and Latinx Voices Global Local Art to Remind Us of Who We Can Be Our Beautiful Planet Voices of Ugandan Students Nursing Division Congratulations Video of the Month Article of the Month Calendar Global Health Family Photo News Resources Previous Issues of the eMagazine However, there is a huge opportunity to curb this potential disaster–the youth. Given that Africa has the youngest population in the world, focusing on this demographic is key. Today, more than one-third, or about 360 million Africans, are young people between the ages of 10 and 24. By 2050, when they reach 45 and older—the time when NCD risks are highest—the population in Africa will be three times its current size. Without taking any action, this large cohort will be further burdened by NCDs because the risk behaviors mentioned earlier are on the rise among young people today. Together, adolescence and young adulthood represent a period of experimentation and identity formation, and also a time when lifelong behavior patterns are typically initiated or established. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70 percent of premature deaths in adults worldwide are the result of behaviors begun in adolescence. Thus, interventions that tackle the social and economic precursors of NCD risks, encourage positive health behaviors, and discourage negative ones in young people can significantly shift the projected trajectory of NCDs in Africa. Positive behaviors established during childhood or adolescence, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, are more likely to be carried through to adulthood. In contrast, the earlier people begin using harmful substances such as alcohol, the greater the risk of abuse and dependence later in life. Typically, when unhealthy behaviors persist into adulthood, they become difficult to change. This is particularly important in Uganda, having such a significant youth population. In fact, according to the latest State of Uganda Population Report 2012 released in December, Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with over 78% below the age of 30 years. This presents both a unique challenge but also an unusual opportunity in fighting the NCD burden. In Uganda, research has shown a high prevalence of NCD risk behaviors among University students (Nyombi et al., 2016). As the NCD MAK chapter, we have proposed and embarked on several projects to utilize this opportunity and target the young population. We believe more in preventative than curative strategies. Among the many endeavors we proposed, a picture book that raises awareness about NCD risk factors and their prevention could be especially effective. This book would be written in simple language and illustrated with engaging pictures to make it appealing and easy to understand for adolescents. The book should cover topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and stress management. The books could be distributed to primary and secondary schools in Central Uganda to children aged 10 to 14 years. Furthermore, education sessions targeting 15 to 19 year olds by trained facilitators with interactive and engaging teaching methods for retention of material could be conducted in secondary schools and at adolescent clinics in Mulago Hospital. These among others are some of the projects we are doing in our capacity as medical students to remedy this growing problem. 31
Page 1 and 2: July 2023 Volume 55 NUVANCE HEALTH
Page 3 and 4: OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION Global Heal
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Page 25 and 26: OUR PEOPLE, OUR MISSION In this iss
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