Non communicable diseases also referred to as lifestyle diseases are the leading cause of death globally and account for over 55% of hospital admissions. These diseases continue to affect indivituals, families, and even economies. But did you know that NCDs and climate change are closely interlinked making it even a more urgent concern? So how are the two related?
NCDs and climate change can be addressed together because they are inextricably related. The frequency and severity of extreme heat waves, droughts, storms, and floods will rise as Earth’s surface temperature rises as a result of human-induced climate change. These changes will increase the hazards for human life and probably increase the prevalence of several NCDs, such as malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, some cancers, respiratory illnesses, and mental and psychological disorders.
Aligning the policy agendas of these two major and urgent contemporary human challenges, namely the improvement of global health, particularly the control of NCDs, and the protection of people from the effects of climate change, would provide synergistic opportunities to enhance population and planetary health.Energy generation, transportation, and food systems all present significant opportunities for co-benefit action. These sectors are leading emitters of pollutants that cause air pollution and global warming which contribute to many NCDs including cancers and chronic lung diseases just to mention a few. Major NCD incidence in local populations can be decreased by carefully crafted climate change policies.
To find out more enroll on our course on the link below
https://www.udemy.com/course/non-communicable-diseases-for-public-health/?couponCode=STEPUP
WE HAVE STARTED A MOVEMENT.
I have been leading an incredible team at Stowelink which has started a movement aimed at addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and its connection to climate change action. W e have started with the STEP UP PROJECT funded by AstraZeneca and jointly implemented between my organization Stowelink and the NCD Alliance of Kenya. We are focused on addressing pollution caused by food wastage, encouraging consumption of locally available food and reducing consumption of red meat all which have a net positive impact on NCDs and climate change. W e have also now already trained 79 youth leaders in 10 groups on the Githurai slum areas through our online course as trainers of trainers. We have started a movement, that will see the trained individuals train their communities and engage in this movement.
We have just started and I am optimistic we are going to create some real change!
#ogwenoimpact
STEPHEN OGWENO 