Mortality caused by non-transmitted diseases to be significantly reduced by 2020

The number of deaths caused by non-transmitted diseases such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension is to be reduced by 17% by 2020. The alcohol abuse, smoking, inappropriate alimentation and hypodynamia represent the main risk factors of the chronic diseases in Moldova, Minister of Health Andrei Usatyi said when presenting the national strategy for the prevention and control of non-transmitted diseases. The strategy was approved by the executive on February 22. The minister said that 66% of the population suffer from such diseases, mainly cardiovascular and respiratory ones. As the people do not ask for medical assistance, their health worsens, leading to the death of six men and two women of ten before retirement. The strategy includes complex and coordinated measures of public authorities that will contribute to the diminution of premature mortality, morbidity and disability caused by risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle, improving the quality of water and air and the infrastructure of the public and private health system, implementing modern technologies for collecting date about the population’s health. The strategy will be carried out in two stages. A series of programs aimed at reducing the common risk factors and identifying these diseases at an early stage will be implemented during the first three years. Life expectancy is expected to rise to 72 years.