THE LOCAL SCENE
In Malta 82% of all deaths are due to NCDs (National Mortality Register
2009) as compared to 87% of all deaths in the EURO-A region, which includes most
of Western Europe. This latter figure was estimated by the Global Burden of
Disease project.
Noncommunicable diseases are also the cause of a
considerable degree of morbidity. An example of the scale of morbidity brought
about by NCDs is the following figures of Disbility Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
It is estimated that in Malta 9 DALYs per 1000 population are lost due to
cardiovascular disease, as compared to 10.4 DALYs per 1000 population around the
Mediterranean basin.
OVERALL GOAL OF THE NCD
STRATEGY
NCD prevention and control is currently focused on targeting specific risk
factors and social and environmental determinants through information provided
by health promotion initiatives and primary health care services.
The
overall goal of the NCD strategy is to develop an integrated inter-sectoral
approach to NCD prevention and control. This is done by tackling common risk
factors and by targeting actions both at population level and at high-risk
groups. In order to reduce NCDs, the social environment needs to be one which is
supportive of healthy choices.
The strategy aims
to:
The above aims must be related to an improved socio-economic
environment by focusing on the reduction of three major social determinants of
NCD. This can be brought about by collaboration between different sectors
including among others the health, education, social, agricultural and economic
sectors.
These three major social determinants are:
- Poverty
- Unequal access to educational opportunities
- Unemployment and low pay employment
In order to improve these social determinants, the following
implementation strategies will be applied:
- Surveillance
- Policy Development
- Capacity Building
- Dissemination of Information based also on experience
The above processes will enable the formulation and application of clear
strategic approaches to ensure effective Health Promotion actions by:
- Individual risk reduction aiming at high-risk individuals
- Population risk reduction aimed at preventable risk factors in society
- Appropriate and efficient use of health services
- An integrated referral system
- A robust health information system