Non-communicable diseases in underserved communities


Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries, where more than three-quarters of the world's NCD deaths occur.

 

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.

 
philips_foundation_cardiovascular_icon
philips_foundation_cancer_icon
philips_foundation_respiratory_icon
philips_foundation_diabetes_icon

 

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:
ncds-world-map
    • Colombia – Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Colombia. 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.
    • Indonesia – 5.75 million people in Indonesia suffered from heart diseases in 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 when growing older.
    • Japan – The prevalence of COPD in Japan is reported to be 8.6%, while many have not yet been diagnosed. Working long hours can lead to serious health problems in Japan, resulting in life-style diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. A reason for the Philips Foundation to host events by working closely with local governments, each focusing on different health conditions that are less well known but can have significant impact on people’s quality of life.
    • Singapore – In 2019, diseases of the circulatory system was the leading cause of death in Singapore. 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.
    • Poland – A study in Poland found that delays in breast cancer diagnosis were found in 83.1% of all patients. 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.
    • Russia – Leukemia mortality among Russian children is almost twice as higher than the average of all OECD countries. The annual number of children suffering from leukemia in Russia is equal to 40% of all oncological diseases. On-time diagnostics and treatment allow for 80-95% recovery cases. The Philips Foundation and Philips Russia 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.
    • South Africa – Nearly 1 in 5 deaths in South Africa is caused by heart disease. 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 healthy lifestyle and prevent future incidence of heart disease.
    • Sub-Sahara Africa – Each year 500,000 children in Africa are born with a congenital heart disease. 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. 
    • United Kingdom – In 71% of UK towns and cities, children are breathing unsafe levels of air pollution. 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.

    Sub-Sahara Africa Cardiovascular

     

    Statistic: Each year 500,000 children in Africa are born with a congenital heart disease.
    | Source Frontiers (2019)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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. 

     

    Partner Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque

    Russia Cancer

     

    Statistic: Leukaemia mortality among children is almost twice as higher in Russia than the average of all OECD countries.
    | Source OECD (2017)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner The Zhivi Foundation

    United Kingdom Respiratory

     

    Statistic: In 71% of UK towns and cities, children are breathing unsafe levels of air pollution.

    | Source Unicef (2018)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner Global Action Plan

    Poland Cancer

     

    Statistic: A study in Poland found that delays in breast cancer diagnosis were found in 83.1% of all patients.

    | Source PubMed (2019)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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. 

     

    Partner Rak’n’Roll Foundation

    Indonesia Cardiovascular

     

    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)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner Indonesian Hearth Foundation

    Singapore Cardiovascular

     

    Statistic: In 2019, diseases of the circulatory system was the leading cause of death in Singapore. 
    | Source Statistia (2019)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner Food Bank Singapore

    South Africa Cardiovascular

     

    Statistic: Nearly 1 in 5 deaths in South Africa is caused by heart disease.

    | Source The Heart & Stroke Foundation (2021)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner Heart and Stroke Foundation SA

    Colombia Cancer

     

    Statistic: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Colombia.

    | Source Colombia Médica (2018)
    NCDs_Indonesia

    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.

     

    Partner Liga Contra el Cáncer

    Share this page