Media: A potent player in stopping the silent killing by non-communicable diseases

Presenter Information

Amynah Mevawala
Fahreen Rajani

Location

Auditorium Pond Side

Start Date

26-2-2014 10:30 AM

Abstract

Background: Non communicable diseases (NCD) are taxing on individuals, communities and populations. Besides a toll on individuals’ physical health it affects psychologically, emotionally and economically. This chiefly distresses those who are not prepared to address the calamity. NCDs according to WHO, account for more than 36 million deaths across the world each year. (WHO, 2013). Media plays a pivotal role in raising awareness and educating people regarding the risks associated with NCDs as well promoting the interventions to prevent and control them leading to healthy lifestyle. Objectives: To discuss disease burden associated with NCDs To identify roles media can play in advocating and spreading awareness regarding the issue To discuss the ways media can actively be involved in relation to prevention and control of NCDs and campaigning to quality life Methodology: Systematic review of the literature.

Results: Keeping in view the statistics, there is an extreme need to involve media in the advocacy and spread of education on NCDs specially related to the major four killers i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases and diabetes. This partnership with the media fraternity is crucial in the growing concern as it is everybody’s business. Media can definitely bring about a great change in people’s quality of life by sharing information on the major risk factors. 80% out of the total deaths are due to NCDs i.e. 29 million; belong to the low and middle income countries (WHO, 2013). Hence, development of programs involving varied stakeholders can work wonders in improving the standard of care at all levels especially in the underserved sectors of low income countries.

Conclusion: Involvement of media in the concerns related to NCDs has now become imperative than ever before. This ultimately will play a part in reducing the global health statistics as well as the local economic burdens.

Keywords: media fraternity, under-served sectors, killer diseases, partnership

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Feb 26th, 10:30 AM

Media: A potent player in stopping the silent killing by non-communicable diseases

Auditorium Pond Side

Background: Non communicable diseases (NCD) are taxing on individuals, communities and populations. Besides a toll on individuals’ physical health it affects psychologically, emotionally and economically. This chiefly distresses those who are not prepared to address the calamity. NCDs according to WHO, account for more than 36 million deaths across the world each year. (WHO, 2013). Media plays a pivotal role in raising awareness and educating people regarding the risks associated with NCDs as well promoting the interventions to prevent and control them leading to healthy lifestyle. Objectives: To discuss disease burden associated with NCDs To identify roles media can play in advocating and spreading awareness regarding the issue To discuss the ways media can actively be involved in relation to prevention and control of NCDs and campaigning to quality life Methodology: Systematic review of the literature.

Results: Keeping in view the statistics, there is an extreme need to involve media in the advocacy and spread of education on NCDs specially related to the major four killers i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases and diabetes. This partnership with the media fraternity is crucial in the growing concern as it is everybody’s business. Media can definitely bring about a great change in people’s quality of life by sharing information on the major risk factors. 80% out of the total deaths are due to NCDs i.e. 29 million; belong to the low and middle income countries (WHO, 2013). Hence, development of programs involving varied stakeholders can work wonders in improving the standard of care at all levels especially in the underserved sectors of low income countries.

Conclusion: Involvement of media in the concerns related to NCDs has now become imperative than ever before. This ultimately will play a part in reducing the global health statistics as well as the local economic burdens.

Keywords: media fraternity, under-served sectors, killer diseases, partnership