Key Priority Areas

Non-communicable diseases and ageing

While more people are living longer than ever before, increases in life expectancy does not always mean that for everyone years added to life are necessarily healthy. Some people may have functional impairments or one or more chronic conditions, some of which are caused by non-communicable diseases. Risk factors for NCDs and mental health disorders, both behavioural and biological, are strongly influenced by gender and other social determinants of health and may explain why differences between and among various groups of people exist. Applying a gender and equity lens is therefore important in better understanding why risk factors for NCDs may be more prevalent in some groups versus others, and thus inform better health system planning, NCD prevention and management initiatives, to ensure that all are to ensure that all are supported along the continuum of care and throughout the life course.