Chronic Diseases on the Rise in Sub-Saharan Africa
- FHS Communications, Alisha Wade
Chronic lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and obesity are often overlooked in lower-income countries,
even though they have a serious impact on public health. Wits University clinical scientist Professor Alisha Wade highlights new findings from Modou Jobe and colleagues, who examined just how common these conditions are in The Gambia.
Overview
The study used data from the 2019 Gambia National Eye Health Survey to provide an updated snapshot of how widespread hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are in the country. The new data shows some concerning trends, particularly among adults aged 25 to 64, even though the latest survey was conducted with a somewhat different population than earlier ones.
Key findings
High blood pressure is becoming more common in both men and women of working-age, raising red flags for both public health and national productivity. Obesity continues to affect women much more than men, a pattern seen in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, though the reason for this observation is not fully understood.
Data on diabetes remains patchy in The Gambia, and this reflects a broader lack of solid data on chronic diseases across the region. The study also found that more than 10% of participants had two or more of these co-morbid conditions, a worrying sign, since having multiple chronic illnesses exponentially increases health risks. The researchers raise an important question: Are social and economic conditions making it even harder for people with multiple health problems to manage their care?
Meanwhile, heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death, driven by these rising risk factors and by gaps in healthcare systems. The study authors stress that urgent public health action is needed, and that investing now in sustainable, scalable solutions will cost far less than dealing with the consequences later.
Original Article in: Lancet Global Health