Emergence of Non Communicable Diseases in Sri Lanka

1. Emergence of Non Communicable Diseases in Sri Lanka Facing the Challenge Dr. Lakshmi C. Somatunga Director/Non Communicable Diseases Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka

2. Trends in Hospital Mortality(Deaths per 100,000 pop)

3. Demography • Transition in the demographic profile Increasing trend in the proportion of the older age groups • Median age 21.3 yrs until 1981 • 25.6 yrs by 1994 (Demo. Survey 1994) Life expectancy at birth • 70.7 for males • 75.4 for females

4. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka Tobacco Use • National level statistics –Around 25% prevalence among males • < 1% among females (So far) • Around 80% of smoked tobacco used as cigarettes

5. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues; • Diet • Traditionally; Rice and curry are staples of the Sri Lankan diet; favorite dishes include "mallung," consisting of Greeny leafy Veg,coconut, red onions, and lime, • The Trend; fast food chains, No cooking at home • Increased consumption of animal fats • Consumption of salty,sugary and fatty snacks

6. Do we eat adequate vegetables? • Is it available at reasonable cost?

7. Do we have a habit of consuming fruits every day?

8. Food Consumption Pattern(Per capita per day)

9. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues; • Diet • Consumption of Fruits (per day) • 71% <1 serving • 21% 1 serving • 8% 2 or more (Survey by NCD Unit, Ministry of Health, 2003)

10. Life Style Changes in Sri Lanka continues; • Physical Activity • All occurring within a context of reduced levels of physical activity • (Cricket is the trademark spectator sport. People keep watching for hours but, not engaged in sport for a few minutes)

11. Clean Air • Those days in-built Physical Activity

12. Facing the challenge; Guiding Principle Prevention is the most cost effective way

13. Facing the challenge; Strategic Objective To promote healthy life style across the life span

14. General Objective To launch an integrated NCD prevention programme in Sri Lanka

15. Key Result Areas • Coordination between sectors • Behavioral change among children • Community, exposed to correct messages • Quality of management of major NCD improved • Systematic collection of information for action – Surveillance improved • Demand for prevention is created

16. Routine Activities Achieved/On-going • Establishment of a NCD prevention and control network • Train professionals on issues related to tobacco • Incorporate NCD prevention into existing school curriculum • Mobilizing youth towards prevention of NCD • Piloting the WHO Stepwise approach for NCD surveillance • Strengthen health clubs in the schools • Produce and distribute media materials on NCD prevention • Tobacco & Alcohol bill passed in the parliament

17. Major Activities • Establishment of a NCD surveillance mechanism (A national NCD risk factor survey is being conducted in Sept- Nov 2006 and thereafter to repeat in every 5 years) • Launching of an island-wide Social Marketing Programme

18. Major Activities planned for year 2007; • Formulation of National NCD Policy and Strategy • Development of National Action Plan on Prevention and Control of major NCD • Printing Text book insert for school children on promoting Healthy Lifestyle to prevent NCD

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