The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks or strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks or strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Who are at risk?
People of all age groups, regions and countries are affected by NCDs. These conditions are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that more than 50% of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur between the ages of 30 and 69 years globally.
Of these "premature" deaths, over 85% are estimated to occur in low- and middle-income countries. Children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors contributing to NCDs, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity or exposure to polluted air (WHO, 2018).
Philips Foundation – addressing NCDs in underserved communities globally
The Philips Foundation provide access to quality healthcare for disadvantaged communities through innovation. We are committed to improving preventive measures, enabling diagnostics and promoting healthy lifestyles to address the global rise of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Below you can see where and how the Philips Foundation is addressing communities around the world on the global rise of NCDs, bridging the gap between global commitments and action at the national level by working collectively with local Philips offices and strategic partners:
Statistic: Each year 500,000 children in Africa are born with a congenital heart disease.
| Source Frontiers (2019)
Philips Foundation trained local doctors and help children suffering from complications of congenital heart disease in Sub-Sahara Africa. The educational and mentoring program allows local doctors to have access to quality medical devices and to implement a point-of-care of ultrasound program. The program also includes providing free consultation and follow-up for operated children.
Statistic: Leukaemia mortality among children is almost twice as higher in Russia than the average of all OECD countries.
| Source OECD (2017)
The annual number of children suffering from leukemia in Russia is equal to 40% of all oncological diseases in children. On-time diagnostics and treatment allow for 80-95% recovery cases. The Philips Foundation supports the Zhivi Foundation in the creation of an online information space for parents. The tool will provide the most relevant and correct information, as well as the opportunity to get help from qualified specialists.
Statistic: In 71% of UK towns and cities, children are breathing unsafe levels of air pollution.
| Source Unicef (2018)
The Philips Foundation has launched the Clean Air for Schools program together with Global Action Plan. A program that helps schools to improve air quality as well as to understand the impact of air pollution in schools by studying the varying levels of air quality in classrooms and how this affects children’s health and academic performance.
Statistic: A study in Poland found that delays in breast cancer diagnosis were found in 83.1% of all patients.
| Source PubMed (2019)
Thanks to respected partners, the Philips Foundation was able to secure 1,000 ultrasounds for women in Poland. In addition, workshops are organized for women living in rural areas on the importance of self-examination, alongside nationwide training for gynecologists to expand access to breast examinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Statistic: 5.75 million people in Indonesia suffered from heart diseases in 2020, and is expected to grow to 6.23 million in 2024.
| Source Statista (2020)
In 2018, schools in Jakarta lacked access to trained first responders. As a result, Philips Foundation facilitated two-day trainings at six junior high schools, including AED use. Philips Foundation and Philips Indonesia jointly focused on the importance of healthy behaviors in school children, with a special focus on better dietary habits in view of growing risks of cardiovascular complications.
Statistic: In 2019, diseases of the circulatory system was the leading cause of death in Singapore.
| Source Statistia (2019)
Philips Foundation and The Food Bank Singapore partnered to provide 24-7 contactless access to nutritious meals for lower-income families. The project aims to improve health equity by physically increasing access to nutritious meals, fostering sustainable habits for long-term cardiac health by nudging lower-income families in Singapore to prioritize high-nutritious food over convenience foods.
Statistic: Nearly 1 in 5 deaths in South Africa is caused by heart disease.
| Source The Heart & Stroke Foundation (2021)
In successive years, the Philips Foundation and Philips Africa launched an education campaign to raise awareness of the link between an active lifestyle and a healthy heart. One of the main objectives of the campaigns is to encourage South Africans in their major cities to embrace the active lifestyle and prevent future incidence of heart disease, as the lifestyles of most people living in South Africa are becoming unhealthier.
Statistic: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Colombia.
| Source Colombia Médica (2018)
Philips Foundation provided funds and equipment to support a campaign aimed at raising awareness for prostate cancer. In Colombia, more than 30 workshops were held, educating communities on the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and screen men for the disease. Education is important as prostate cancer in Colombia has become one of the most common ailments in men over 60 years of age.