WASHINGTON, DC, June 28, 2024 – Although life expectancy across the Americas is increasing, so is the number of people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), according to a new report released by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Rapid population aging is leading to increased ill-health and disability due to noncommunicable diseases and injuries. The report calls on countries in the Americas to take action to address the challenges to health systems posed by the region’s aging population.
The report, ” Leading causes of death and disease burden in the Americas: non-communicable diseases and external causes ” analyses disease burden and mortality in the Americas from 2000 to 2019, focusing on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes, mental disorders, substance use disorders, neurological diseases, and intentional or accidental injuries (or external causes).
According to the report, total deaths in the Americas increased by 31% between 2000 and 2019, a faster increase than any other World Health Organization (WHO) region. Overall, NCDs are the leading cause of death in the region, with a combined female and male mortality rate of 412 per 100,000 in 2019.
“NCDs and external factors remain major challenges not only to health systems but also to the social and economic development of the Americas,” said Dr. Anselme Hennis, PAHO’s Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. “It is critical that countries implement proven interventions to reduce risk factors and strengthen the delivery of quality care at the primary health level.”
According to the report, population growth and rapid aging in the Americas have led to a 31 percent increase in total deaths over the past 20 years. The region’s population also grew from 829 million to 1.01 billion. During the same period, the number of people aged 40 to 64 increased by 5 percentage points, and the number of people aged 65 and older increased by 3 percentage points. This demographic shift can pose a challenge for unprepared health systems, and the report urges countries to prepare for rising rates of NCDs as populations live longer.
Between 2000 and 2019, the proportion of deaths due to NCDs and external causes increased from 87% to 90%, with the most significant increase being in deaths due to mental disorders, substance use disorders and neurological diseases (179%).
The report also notes that despite the increase in absolute numbers of deaths, mortality from NCDs and injuries decreased by 17.2% and 8%, respectively, contributing to increased life expectancy and the number of people living with NCDs in the region.
The report highlights the disparities that still exist: NCD mortality in the Latin Caribbean is about 1.5 times higher than in the Andean region. Moreover, throughout the region, men consistently experience higher mortality and disability rates than women, due to a higher burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as higher rates of interpersonal violence. However, women are significantly more likely to experience intimate partner violence. With regard to mental health, men were more likely to experience alcohol and drug use disorders, while women were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
PAHO continues to work to support countries in the Americas to implement public health solutions, health system innovations and political interventions to address the challenges posed by NCDs, including the implementation of the Better Care for NCDs initiative, which aims to strengthen the capacity of health systems to plan and deliver comprehensive, quality NCD services at the primary health care level.