The global crisis in noncommunicable disease

Abstract

On a surgical placement in Indonesia you meet a 45 year old patient, Wayan with an infected foot as a result of diabetes. You have to resort to amputation and reflect on the amount of morbidity Wayan is already suffering as a result of noncommunicable disease. The case goes on to discuss the root causes of noncommunicable disease including the social determinants of health. The chapter finishes by stating that noncommunicable disease are an important and growing threat to global health and disproportionately affect the poor.