Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes as Economic and Developmental Challenges in Africa

• Published in: Progress in cardiovascular diseases Vol. 56; no. 3; pp. 302 - 313
• Main Authors: Kengne, Andre Pascal, June-Rose Mchiza, Zandile, Amoah, Albert George Baidoe, Mbanya, Jean-Claude
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2013
• Subjects: Africa; Africa - epidemiology; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - economics; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cost; Developing Countries; Development; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus - economics; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Economy; Forecasting; Humans; Poverty; Poverty - trends; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Africa; UNDP; GNI; Development Assistance for Health; United States of America; World Health Organisation; gross national income; IDF; United Nations Development Programme; ILO; Cost; GDP; gross domestic product; sub-Saharan Africa; Economy; DALY; Development; CMH; International Diabetes Federation; WHO; HIV/AIDS; SSA; cardiovascular disease; USA; Poverty; International Diabetes Management Practices Study; Diabetes mellitus; Commission on Social Determinants of Health; Africa; DAH; non-communicable disease; CSDH; International Labour Organization; NCD; CVD; EU; IDMPS; human acquired immunodeficiency/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; European Union; New Partnership for Africa's Development; disability-adjusted life years; NEPAD; Commission on Macroeconomics and Health; Cardiovascular disease
• ISSN: 0033-0620; 1532-8643; 1873-1740
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2013.10.011

Abstract Current estimates and projections suggest that the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes and related risk factors in African countries is important, somewhat unique and rapidly growing. Various segments of the population are affected; however, the group mostly affected is young adults residing in urban areas, and increasingly those in the low socioeconomic strata. The African milieu/environment is compounded by weak health systems, which are unable to cope with the looming double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases. This review discusses the economic and developmental challenges posed by CVDs and diabetes in countries in Africa. Using several lines of evidence, we demonstrate that the cost of care for major CVDs and diabetes is beyond the coping capacities of individuals, households, families and governments in most African countries. We have reviewed modeling studies by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and other major international agencies on the current and projected impact that CVDs and diabetes have on the economy and development of countries in the region. Locally, appropriate strategies to limit the impact of the conditions on the economies and development of countries in Africa are suggested and discussed. These include monitoring diseases and risk factors, and primordial, primary and secondary preventions implemented following a life-course perspective. Structural, logistic, human capacity and organizational challenges to be surmounted during the implementations of these strategies will be reviewed.