Question

As countries develop economically, what are the most important changes that occur in their burden of disease? Why do these changes occur?

Answer 1

The burden of disease in a country refers to assessment of mortality,morbidity, injuries,disabilities and other risk factors specific to that countries.As the countries develops economically, the burden of diseases shift more towards the non communicable pattern. Developing countries face a triple burden from communicable, non communicable disease and injuries.For centuries, communicable diseases were the main causes of death around the world. Life expectancy was often limited by uncontrolled epidemics. After the second World War, with medical research achievements in terms of vaccination, antibiotics and improvement of life conditions, non communicable diseases(NCDs) started causing major problems in industrialized countries. Heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic pulmonary and mental diseases became a real burden for health systems in developed countries. For a while, these diseases were associated with economic development and so called diseases of the rich. The higher level of income in the countries of the region, the more likely it is the leading cause of death is non communicable disease.

The changes are caused due to-

• Demographic transition- as the hygiene and nutrition improve the risk of infectious disease is much lessened.
• Epediomologic trantransition- the transition appears to primarily depends on improvent in hygiene, nutrition, education and socio economic status. Some other improvement are advances in public health and medicines, like development of vaccines.