The burden of non-communicable diseases in Portuguese-speaking countries

Abstract

We analyzed trends in premature mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) between 1990 and 2019, projections until 2030, and the risk factors attributable to these diseases in the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study and analysis of the burden of premature mortality for NCDs were used for nine CPLP countries, using age-standardized rates, using RStudio. Portugal, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Guinea Bissau have declining premature mortality rates of NCDs; and East Timor, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mozambique showed an increase in rates. Projections indicate that none of the countries is expected to achieve the goals of reducing premature mortality for NCDs by one third by 2030. The attributable burden of disease showed that the most important risk factors in 2019 were: high systolic blood pressure, tobacco, dietary risks, high body mass index, and air pollution. It is concluded that there are profound differences in the burden of NCDs between countries, with better results in Portugal and Brazil and that no CPLP country will reach the NCD reduction target by 2030.