The world, including the Republic of Srpska, is faced with numerous
epidemiological challenges, starting with chronic
non
-
communicable diseases,
with a predominance of cardiovascular and malignant diseases, diabetes,
infectious diseases, hospital infections and dental caries, which are accompanied
by economic consequences.
The aim of this review is to point out the import
ance of these epidemiological
challenges from the perspective of public health and economy of the country.
Every year, about 41 million people die worldwide from chronic non
-
communicable diseases, which represents about 74% of all deaths in the
world.
The majority of these deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases, followed by
malignant diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.
The review pointed out the epidemiological challenge of obesity from the aspect
of correlation with chroni
c non
-
communicable diseases, infectious diseases and
hospital infections, as well as their importance for the health and economy of
the country.
The most important behavioral risk factors for heart disease and stroke are poor
diet, physical inactivity, tob
acco use, and excessive alcohol use. Ischemic heart
disease, stroke and hypertension are the leading causes of disability as a result of
obesity.
The growing prevalence of obesity worldwide may lead to an increasing number
of people suffering from cancer i
n the years to come, especially malignant
diseases of the breast, colorectum, endometrium, ovary, kidney, liver, gall
bladder, stomach, esophagus and pancreas.
The increasing prevalence of obesity is accompanied by a higher prevalence of
type 2 diabetes. O
besity not only increases the risk of developing type 2
diabetes, but also aggravates its health risks and complicates its management.
Obesity is associated with several diseases that affect the immune system and
wound healing. In this regard, it is known
that obesity increases the risk of
hospital infections and complicates their treatment. This risk is higher in
intensive care units.
Numerous studies have shown that obesity and its comorbidities have major
health and economic consequences, increasing the
costs of treatment and
absenteeism from work.
It is known that obesity increases the cost of diabetes
treatment
thirteen times.
Physiological and anatomical characteristics associated with obesity may worsen
the condition and outcomes of COVID
-
19,
influenza, and many other infectious
diseases. The interaction between COVID
-
19 and other infectious diseases with
non
-
communicable diseases can increase the global burden of disease.
Drinking water is also considered food, so special attention was paid to
the
epidemiological challenge of unsafe drinking water.
Improper nutrition is associated with caries, which is also a global public health
problem.
Modern medicine is mostly focused on new technologies, and less on disease
prevention.
This review has show
n that proper nutrition is effective in
preventing many diseases and it also reduces the economic burden of disease
and the burden on the health system.
