Chronic Diseases Kill 75 Percent Of Thais

[webfact]

Chronic diseases kill 75 per cent of Thais

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday urged an international effort, including among the 10 Asean countries, to implement measures to curb noncommunicable chronic diseases - such as coronary vascular disease, cancer and diabetes.

He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years.

Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) were spreading and claimed 35 million lives in 2005, many from 3069 years of age and 80 per cent of them in developing and underdeveloped countries.

These diseases caused three quarters of the deaths in Thailand and cost the country around Bt140 billion each year, he said.

In 2009, there were 60,000 deaths from NCDs in Thailand - 29 per cent of them among people under 60 - and in that year Thailand spent Bt141.8 billion on medical bills and related expenses, about 1.6 per cent of national incomes.

Witthaya spoke yesterday at a seminar of health agencies and organisations from Asean nations, plus the US and Switzerland.

The seminar was linked to the World Economic Forum on East Asia, which Thailand hosted last week.

Southeast Asian countries would make up the Asean Community in 2015 under the theme "One Vision, One Identity, One Community"— meaning also one health. Witthaya urged them to formulate an action plan to control and prevent noncommunicable diseases for public wellbeing and extend it worldwide.

For the measures to succeed laws must be passed and taxes imposed on unhealthy products, like cigarettes and alcoholic drinks; standards for food and health products set; and products that promote health such as organic vegetables and gyms must be encouraged, he said.

Thailand has already set a strategy for healthy lifestyles from 20112020. This included healthy diets, exercising, cutting smoking and alcohol drinking, as well as screening for people at risk of disease, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-06-04

[endure]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

[Jingthing]

Also note that the WHO classifies obesity as a chronic disease, one that is increasing rapidly in Thailand.

[whybother]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

Given that 60,000 died of NCDs in 2009, I don't think the 41 million refers to only Thailand.

But, I'm not sure if the number is for 10 ASEAN nations (average of 4.1 mil) or worldwide.

Sent from my shoe phone

[noitom]

They have to start with reading. Thais don't read. You can't grow up and learn or change unless you read. All their big "slogans" in the world will continue to fall flat until the reading and intake of information is dramatically altered in Thailand.

[Yunla]

A lot of cancers are linked to industrial pollution in the water and the air. They could start by working on water security and delivery, and the monitoring and regulation of air-quality.

[DNPBC0]

The Nation article fails to mention that 100% of people will die. The question implied by the article then becomes how can we toss in the towel for the least cost. The answer is, of course, die as soon as possible, thereby avoiding the medical and related costs which would have accumulated over the years of a longer life. Die young, folks - it saves money.

Edited June 4, 2012 by DNPBC0

[jaltsc]

"implement measures to curb noncommunicable chronic diseases - such as coronary vascular disease, cancer and diabetes."

In the six years since I have been living in Thailand, I can see why some of these diseases are on the increase. Where in the past it was almost impossible to see someone overweight, I now see morbidly obese children riding motorbikes (obviously too young to be riding a motor vehicle) to 7-11 and exiting with super size sugary drinks, bags of candy and chemical laden products.. Their future is no great puzzle. They will grow into obese adults and be prime candidates for type 2 diabetes and vasular diseases. The high cancer rates can be attributed to a number of habits and conditions in the Thai (and other) cultures...air and water pollution, high intake of high fat products, use of alcohol and tobacco and lack of effective exercise. This problem is not restricted to the larger metropolitan areas. I have seen this trend in rural areas where people now have increased financial means to buy highly processed foodlike products and motorbikes. Thus the double whammy...high intake of calories, low physical activity to burn those increased calories.

"For the measures to succeed laws must be passed and taxes imposed on unhealthy products, like cigarettes and alcoholic drinks; standards for food and health products set; and products that promote health such as organic vegetables and gyms must be encouraged..."

There is little chance that taxes will be imposed in sufficient amounts to curb the use of unhealthy products and as long as a large segment of the Thai population equates obesity with wealth and health (Just look at some to the TV commercials glorifying overweight children consuming chemical foodlike products) there will be no change in eating or exercise habits.

The education which needs to take place has to start in the home with the family. As long as adults have a warped concept of what is healthy, their children will just perpetuate those views and standards into their unhealthy lifestyles.

Edited June 4, 2012 by jaltsc

[Buchholz]

Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) were spreading and claimed 35 million lives in 2005, many from 3069 years of age

It's hardly surprising that people who are 30 centuries old would die from something.

What is surprising is that there are apparently "many" of them.

.

[OzMick]

They have to start with reading. Thais don't read. You can't grow up and learn or change unless you read. All their big "slogans" in the world will continue to fall flat until the reading and intake of information is dramatically altered in Thailand.

My twin daughters were bought so many light reading books to encourage them to read for pleasure. The trouble is that reading Thai is too much like hard work.

Edited June 4, 2012 by OzMick

[Woodcaulk]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

They come from Clown Schools. Modeled after the great Clown Schools of Europe and America...for some reason they call those Colleges and Universities, go figure. Its all part of the ultra-successful socialist experiment where the populace is encouraged to develop their emotions instead of their brains.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I've been riding the ferry boats in Bangkok recently, and on every trip saw at least three or four Thais reading, in some cases actual thick books, not just newspapers and magazines.

Sure lower levels than other countries, but let's stop saying "Thais don't read".

[doggie888888]

...and the biggest chronic disease of all? Corruption. That's the cancer that eats at the health budget, the education budget, the infrastructure budget; imagine all the $$ siphoned off that could have been used for health education, hospitals, training of health professionals, medicines for the poor, preventative programs etc.

[Yunla]

This other similar asian-health shock story emerged last month.

>>>"Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests"

http://www.bbc.co.uk...health-17942181

Its such a strange finding. One theory put forward by my Thai friend is that Thai kids are getting eye-disorders because they are encouraged by the media to look very pale, by avoiding the sun and even hold their school-satchel over their face to avoid sun altogether. It is medically recognised that adequate exposure to the sun actually prevents blindness and protects all parts of the brain, including the optical areas.

If kids don't get exercise outdoors in the daylight they risk becoming overweight and blind and developing breathing disorders. Coupled with the rising popularity of junk-food in Asia, the Govt need to really instruct schools in the teaching of health matters to kids. The problem as other posters have mentioned is that the media is a relentless barrage of junk-food and pale-skinned models, without any kind of balanced medical information.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Yunla

[Sateev]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

Patently obtuse post.

[saengsureeya]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

Quote OP: "BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday urged an international effort, including among the 10 Asean countries, to implement measures to curb noncommunicable chronic diseases - such as coronary vascular disease, cancer and diabetes."

[Thaddeus]

The problem as other posters have mentioned is that the media is a relentless barrage of junk-food and pale-skinned models, without any kind of balanced medical information.

Indeed.

Sporting event programs interspersed with adverts for Custard Cake. But at least they are camping out, riding bicycles and rock climbing, typical behaviour for cake eaters.

Mi Euro wai, yeah.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Thaddeus

[OzMick]

I've been riding the ferry boats in Bangkok recently, and on every trip saw at least three or four Thais reading, in some cases actual thick books, not just newspapers and magazines.

Sure lower levels than other countries, but let's stop saying "Thais don't read".

3 or 4 - THAT many? Wow! Could you express that as a percentage?

Sent from my Cray XT5-HE laptop computer

[OzMick]

I'm expecting the PTP Health Minister to make an announcement of measures to reduce this percentage - something like repealing the motorcycle helmet laws.

Sent from my Cray XT5-HE laptop computer

[richard_smith237]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

When a report includes such a fundamental blunder it looses all legitimacy – is the rest of it really worth reading and considering when the numbers appear so distorted?

While the increase in Chronic disease is worrying, is there in fact and increase at all? This issue cannot be debated fairly without first ensuring that a report is based on accurate and non-biased fact, something which unfortunately many articles lack.

[MEL1]

The biggest killer in Thailand is Liver Fluke infection, for both males and females; where the liver is infected by OV infestation.

This in turn leads to cholangiocarcinoma, which unfortunately my Mother-in-Law died of early last year, and at a young age.

Fluke infestation comes from eating undercooked or raw fish, a common place staple diet in the North, and is well know worldwide in the medical fraternity as being pertinent to Thailand. My M-i-L lived in Ubon.

So just a warning, for all of my colleagues here. Don't even consider eating raw or undercooked fish, ever; not that you would anyway....

One badly infected piece of fish can infect your liver, and slowly and surely kill it off over a few years, and even shorter if no treatment is given, or is given too late.

In essence, the Govnt advisors should be starting with cooked fish advice, before they even venture into anti-smoking and other warnings.

-mel.

[MEL1]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

Well we all know their ability to count, and their vast knowledge of numbers.

It starts at the very top, where the primeminister thinks 600M people is half of the world's population!

-mel.

[OzMick]

The biggest killer in Thailand is Liver Fluke infection, for both males and females; where the liver is infected by OV infestation.

This in turn leads to cholangiocarcinoma, which unfortunately my Mother-in-Law died of early last year, and at a young age.

Fluke infestation comes from eating undercooked or raw fish, a common place staple diet in the North, and is well know worldwide in the medical fraternity as being pertinent to Thailand. My M-i-L lived in Ubon.

So just a warning, for all of my colleagues here. Don't even consider eating raw or undercooked fish, ever; not that you would anyway....

One badly infected piece of fish can infect your liver, and slowly and surely kill it off over a few years, and even shorter if no treatment is given, or is given too late.

In essence, the Govnt advisors should be starting with cooked fish advice, before they even venture into anti-smoking and other warnings.

-mel.

Fully agree! It has long been my position that I'll put off eating sushi until I've spent a week in a lifeboat.

Sent from my Cray XT5-HE laptop computer

[geriatrickid]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

He is misquoted by the nation. I do not know if it is unintentional sloppiness, or intentional.

The numbers were cited by key note speaker Victor J. Dzau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Duke University Medical Center and Health System. He stated that;

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are posing a mounting challenge to Asia, accounting for 60% of all deaths in the region. A Lancet publication showed that NCDs are responsible for 60% of total disabilities for people in the 15-59 age groups, and 84% for those older than 60 years. In the future, the rates will rise to as high as 90% for older people.

The numbers cited are in respect to the region. When the Health Minister was making his reference I believe he was referencing a specific population demographic. The information may have been too complex for the Nation's writer to comprehend.

[Moruya]

I think we are all at risk of descending our mortal coils through reading half witted journalism

Sent from my dog.

[kutjebu]

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

You must read first before you

"He said these diseases cause immense losses - 41 million people will die from them in the next three years."

He's saying that 60% of the population of Thailand will die in the next 3 years? Where do these clowns come from?

They come from Clown Schools. Modeled after the great Clown Schools of Europe and America...for some reason they call those Colleges and Universities, go figure. Its all part of the ultra-successful socialist experiment where the populace is encouraged to develop their emotions instead of their brains.

You must read first before you comment.

[jayjayjayjay]

I assumed this was a good story! I thought 75% of Thai's died from road accidents!

[moe666]

This other similar asian-health shock story emerged last month.

>>>"Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests"

http://www.bbc.co.uk...health-17942181

Its such a strange finding. One theory put forward by my Thai friend is that Thai kids are getting eye-disorders because they are encouraged by the media to look very pale, by avoiding the sun and even hold their school-satchel over their face to avoid sun altogether. It is medically recognised that adequate exposure to the sun actually prevents blindness and protects all parts of the brain, including the optical areas.

If kids don't get exercise outdoors in the daylight they risk becoming overweight and blind and developing breathing disorders. Coupled with the rising popularity of junk-food in Asia, the Govt need to really instruct schools in the teaching of health matters to kids. The problem as other posters have mentioned is that the media is a relentless barrage of junk-food and pale-skinned models, without any kind of balanced medical information.

Its called not enough vit. D which can be made in the body by exposure to the sun.

[Yunla]

Its called not enough vit. D which can be made in the body by exposure to the sun.

I have end-stage MS and am under doctors orders have to walk or wheelchair in the sun as often as possible for that reason. (one hour / day minimum)

Increasingly new research is suggesting that UVB radiation itself is the health benefit rather than just its role in VitD synth. UVB is associated with a healthy immune system, repairs in the brain as well as releasing dopamine and endorphin. This is what my MS doctor told me, I am not a doctor myself.

[Skywalker69]

claimed 35 million lives in 2005, many from 3069 years of age