Page 81 - WEF Reoprt 2020

Global health security risks. Serious as these risks are, it can be argued
Considerable progress has been made that health systems nonetheless have a
since the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in blueprint to mitigate them, and success
2014–2016, but health systems worldwide requires only adequate attention. The same
are still under-prepared for significant cannot be said for new health risks.
outbreaks of other emerging infectious
diseases, such as SARS, Zika and MERS. Emerging Risks
A recent first-of-its-kind comprehensive Longevity, lifestyle and climate changes
assessment of health security and are transforming disease burdens. Health
related capabilities across 195 countries systems need new infrastructure, resources
found fundamental weaknesses around and skills, but in many parts of the world
the world: no country is fully prepared they are failing to adapt—even as healthcare
to handle an epidemic or pandemic. spending soars to unsustainable levels.
19
Meanwhile, our collective vulnerability
to the societal and economic impacts of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
infectious disease crises appears to As populations grow, age and urbanize,
be increasing. 20 NCDs and mental disorders have replaced
infectious diseases as the leading threats to
health and health systems worldwide. Once
considered diseases of the rich world—
FIG URE 6 . 2 linked to low-quality diets, little exercise and
Top Global Causes of Death, 2017 the use of tobacco and alcohol—chronic

and degenerative conditions are now a
Non-communicable diseases global epidemic (see Figure 6.2). They
Injuries account for 41 million deaths each year, of
Communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases which 85% are in low- and middle-income
countries, where people might grow old
% of total
and ill before they become rich. By 2030,
21
Cardiovascular diseases 31.8% the WHO expects this figure to increase by
11 million, reaching 52 million in total, and
Neoplasms 17.1% deaths from infectious diseases to decline by
7 million. Depression and anxiety disorders
22
Chronic respiratory diseases 7.0% are on the rise—they increased by 54%
Respiratory infections and 42% respectively from 1990 to 2013,
and tuberculosis 6.7% according to WHO data. Currently 700
23
Neurological disorders 5.5% million people worldwide are estimated to
have a mental disorder. 24
Diabetes and kidney diseases 4.7%
While infectious diseases and pandemics
Digestive diseases 4.2%
pose an acute threat to human life, NCDs
Maternal and have a gradually crippling effect on the
neonatal disorders 3.5% well-being of individuals and societies.
Unintentional injuries 3.2% Besides causing enormous physical and
psychological suffering, the four leading
Enteric infections 3.2% NCDs—heart disease, cancer, diabetes
Self-harm and and respiratory diseases, along with mental
interpersonal violence 2.4% illness—could have cost the global economy
an estimated US$47 trillion (in treatment and
Transport injuries 2.4%
lost productivity) over the 2010s and 2020s.
25
Other NCDs 2.1% Dementia is expected to cost a further
US$2 trillion by 2030, as each year brings
26
HIV/AIDS and sexually 27
transmitted infections 1.9% 10 million new cases. NCDs and mental
disorders are difficult to prevent and treat as
Other infectious diseases 1.5%
they stem from varied and complex causes,
develop slowly, and often co-exist with other
chronic conditions. Effective interventions
Source: IHME (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation), Global Burden of Disease Study
2017, http://www.healthdata.org/policy-report/findings-global-burden-disease-study-2017 need to target both individuals and

76 False Positive