NCDs in South Asia(cont....)

Figure 1.4 DALYs attributable to 10 leading risk factors by sex, adults 15–69 years, South Asia, 2004

Source: WHO Global Burden of Disease, Risk Factors Estimates for 2004,
http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/risk_factors/en/index.html.

Clustering of NCD risk factors is common. While data limitations do not allow examination, multiple risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high glucose, and obesity can all occur in the same individual. Intervention design and policies can take advantage of this pattern.

Country-level Disease Burdens and Risk Factors

Country-level NCD disease burdens are quite variable. Of the total forgone DALYs attributed to NCDs, the proportion ranges from 87 percent in Sri Lanka—similar to the pattern found in middle- and highincome countries—to 43 percent in Afghanistan (Figure 1.5).