“International donors and national governments are doing too little to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases,” Ezzati said. The United States ranked 53rd for men, and 44th for women, with Chinese men and women placed 80th and 76th, respectively. China is not on track to meet the goal but its NCD rates are declining, even as levels of obesity and high blood pressure are on the rise, the study revealed. “By any standard, it would be inappropriate and non-strategic to not incorporate NCDs in the strengthening of the overall health care system,” Ezzati said. “We should say to the donor and aid agencies: ‘Focus on the overall health system rather than disease by disease’.” AFPAFP/CCLoading...

Source: Manila Times September 21, 2018 05:15 UTC