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How Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Affect People
1 Physical Impact: Long-Term Illness and Disability
- NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung disease are chronic conditions that last for years and often require lifelong treatment (WHO, 2023).
- They cause reduced mobility, pain, fatigue, and sometimes permanent disability, affecting a person’s ability to work or perform daily activities.
- According to Geng, Liang & Wang (2025), behavioral risk factors like poor diet, alcohol use, and physical inactivity together caused over 9.3 million deaths in 2021, mostly from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
- Example: Someone with diabetes may face vision loss or kidney problems, while those with heart disease may struggle with physical exertion.
2. Emotional and Mental Health Effects
- Living with an NCD can cause stress, anxiety, and depression due to the ongoing need for medicines, clinic visits, and lifestyle restrictions.
- Chronic illness can also reduce self-esteem and lead to social isolation or dependence on others.
- Mental health problems and NCDs often exist together — for example, people with heart disease or diabetes have a higher risk of depression (WHO, 2023).