Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) not only cause significant health burdens but also exacerbate poverty, a World Health Organization (WHO) official warned Wednesday.

Xi Yin, from the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, highlighted the economic toll of NCDs, particularly tobacco use. She noted that the global economic cost of smoking, including healthcare costs and productivity losses, is estimated at $1.4 trillion annually.

“Imagine if you are a mother of a family from a lower-income household. When a family member suffers from an NCD like diabetes, you face increased medical costs and potential loss of income due to reduced productivity,” Yin said.

She added that NCDs can lead to a cascade of negative consequences, such as children dropping out of school to care for sick family members and caregivers, often women and girls, sacrificing their own opportunities and well-being.

According to the WHO, NCDs account for nearly three-quarters of all global deaths. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are among the leading causes of NCD-related deaths.

To reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030, Yin stressed the importance of reducing alcohol and tobacco use, as well as adopting healthier diets and increasing physical activity. She cited the significant decline in tobacco use in the Philippines, attributed to the Sin Tax Law and tobacco advertising bans.

“We have to keep implementing effective tobacco control measures. That’s why it’s important to sustain these efforts to keep the rate down,” Yin said.