Radio Panama Writing
Noncommunicable Diseases (ENT) impact the quality of life of millions of people and generate high costs for health systems. Despite the fact that it has been widely discussed and public policies and communication campaigns have been designed to try to stop the impact of these diseases, the epidemic continues to grow.
The reality is that noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death, disability, and chronic illness in the Americas region, causing 5.5 million deaths each year, more than 85% of these premature deaths, according to data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Likewise, the monitoring of this organization, in relation to non-communicable diseases, published in 2022, shows that the main ailments in Latin America are cardiovascular, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions and diabetes. Of which, Mexico, Panama and Argentina are the most affected countries with 80%, 78% and 77% respectively. Data that serves as a wake-up call to the competent bodies for the creation of systemic solutions.
Given this, with a view to exploring alternatives to achieve an optimal strategy that motivates changes in habits and promotes plans in the health sector, the communication consultancy LLYC presents the Report ”Habits that cost lives: The epidemic of Noncommunicable Diseases ”, in which 38 public health experts, doctors, representatives of companies and patient groups in seven Latin American countries have participated: Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Brazil.
Among the main reflections of this work, the following stand out:
- The need for investment grows to achieve PAHO recommendations
The report explains that although there is a universal commitment to reduce premature mortality from these diseases by 30% by 2023 (WHO), bridging the investment gap for people living with NCDs is one of the main challenges in Latin America, where the majority of the countries still do not have a budget assigned to this strategy and do not comply with the PAHO recommendation to have a public investment in health equivalent to 6% of GDP by 2027. - The look of the experts: Towards a preventive health system
90% of the 38 experts who participated in the report agreed on the need to join efforts, link civil society and the private sector to obtain better results in the fight against these diseases and improve people’s quality of life. To do this, they highlight the urgent need to change the approach from a curative model to a preventive model, this is because 9 out of 10 respondents agree that patients do not have a culture of adherence to treatment.
Regarding the main challenges to face NCDs, 97% of those surveyed recommend that governments focus on prevention to improve the timely diagnosis rate; 90% mentioned the importance of creating patient education programs on healthy lifestyles and access to medicines. While 80% pointed out the need to strengthen primary care and 5% cite the importance of fighting against air and water pollution and being attentive to carcinogenic precursors in food.
- More effective and two-way communication
The report identifies the need for campaigns that consider bidirectionality and creativity to generate a connection that can influence to change habits and achieve a healthier society with the use and analysis of data, new technologies and new communication channels.
Leadership is required that seeks a new relationship scheme to achieve the participation of different sectors, identify conversation territories and opportunities to create a new narrative that promotes change between patients and their influencers to inspire a coordinated effort that achieves the expected results. by 2030, goal established by the WHO.
