This compendium of country profiles summarizes the epidemiological situation and capacity within Ministries of Health for non-communicable disease prevention and control (NCD) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

This publication represents the culmination of a decade-long effort by PAHO and its country partners to understand and effectively respond to the rising NCD epidemic in the Americas.

It identifies legislation in English-speaking Caribbean countries and territories applicable to the prevention and control of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In 2001, 33.1 million deaths, almost 60% of mortality worldwide and 45.9% of the global burden of disease were attributable to NCDs.

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases combined are the leading causes of death and disability in the world (responsible for 60% of all deaths and 44% of premature deaths).

In response to the high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Latin American and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization developed the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control.

Document signed by public health authorities, representatives of the food industry and cooking oil companies, convened by the Pan American Health Organization in the city of Rio de Janeiro 8 – 9 June 2008.

Chronic diseases have not received the priority attention in public health policies and programs commensurate with their disease burden in this Region.

Although the magnitude of the problem is large and projected to increase, many options exist to prevent and manage the major NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes)

The costs of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to the health system, businesses and individuals, are significant and growing.

Global health agendas have organized efforts and funds from governments, donors, health professionals, and civil society around specific objectives and targets.

In response to the high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Latin American and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization developed the Regional Strategy and Plan of Action for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control. The Regional Strategy aims to fortify cervical cancer programs, promoting a comprehensive strategy to approach the natural history of the disease, from primary prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and palliative care; stimulating the introduction of new technologies and approaches to improve the effectiveness of existing programs.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main decisionmaking body of the UN, representing all 192 Member States.

NCDs kill more people in the Americas than any other cause of death and inflict great socioeconomic hardship, particularly in poorer populations.

The PAFNCD is a “whole of government and whole of society effort” to confront the NCD epidemic in the Americas following the Declaration of the United Nations High Level Meeting on NCD (UNHLM) of September 2011.

For seniors, good health helps ensure independence, security, and continued productivity in the later years. But non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can diminish seniors’ quality of life, raise health-care costs, and increase pressure on family members who are responsible for their care.

Adolescents represent the well-being of a society and its development potential - and good health helps ensure independence, security, and productivity across the life course (the World Health Organization defines young people as individuals between the ages of 10 and 24 years old.

The simple act of breastfeeding has numerous health advantages to both mothers and their babies: in terms of NCD prevention, breastfeeding has long-term benefits in the form of reduced risk of chronic illness. 

The number of people with Diabetes in the Americas was estimated at 62.8 million in 2011, and it is expected to reach the 91.1 million mark by 2030. Results of recent studies in Argentina and Chile demonstrated a remarkable increase in the prevalence of diabetes.

For seniors, good health helps ensure independence, security, and continued productivity in the later years. But non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can diminish seniors’ quality of life, raise health-care costs, and increase pressure on family members who are responsible for their care.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading cause of sickness and death for women and men, accounting for 35 million deaths or 60% of all deaths worldwide.

Information related to the Non-communicable Diseases and the leading cause of death in al countries.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of premature mortality and disability in the Americas and account for two-thirds of all deaths in the Region.

Recognizing the enormous human suffering, socio-economic impact and growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in developed and developing countries, the UN will hold a High-Level Meeting on NCDs (UNHLM) the 19th and 20th of September 2011.