Rising Non-Communicable Diseases and Impact on Employers

January 09, 2020

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise globally, outpacing communicable diseases as leading cause of death in many countries. Productivity declines and health care costs increase as a result. Many of the leading NCDs have similar causal risk factors (including lifestyle factors), but employer well-being programs are well placed to address risk factors.

Cardiovascular remains the world’s biggest killer, totaling a staggering 31% of all deaths, with cancer being the world’s fastest growing killer.2 Diabetes is becoming an increasing risk of premature death among women and the middle-aged throughout Asia – with India and China having the highest global burden.³

Risk Factors Linked to NCDs

Poor diet
Insufficient physical activity
Overweight/ Obesity
- The Guardian reports 250 million children will be obese by 2030, globally⁴
Tobacco Use
Alcohol Misuse
Pollution

Rising NCDs Globally

China: chronic conditions are replacing infectious diseases as the leading causes of early death.

Stroke, heart disease, lung and liver cancer have outpaced other diseases

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s biggest killer – 31% of all deaths
Cancer is world’s fastest growing killer
Diabetes - increasing risk of premature death

Among women and the middle-aged throughout Asia--with India and China having the highest global burden

Employer-covered surrogacy costs or benefits

Figure 1: Top Global Medical Claims

Aon Hewitt. 2019 Global Medical Trend Rates Report.⁵

Figure 2: Global Risk Factors Driving Supplementary Medical Plan Costs

Aon Hewitt. 2019 Global Medical Trend Rates Report.⁵

Figure 3: Employer Methods to Control Medical Plan Cost

Aon Hewitt. 2019 Global Medical Trend Rates Report.⁵

Figure 4: Member Priorities in Physical Health Conditions

Results of 2019 Member Priority Survey–Global Employers who responded to the survey indicate their priority and focus on NCDs

Employers’ Response to NCDs

Frequently-offered employer well-being programs can help address the risk factors that lead to NCDs

Provide cancer education and screening
Promote sunscreen use
Ensure health plans do not exclude particular disease classes
Nutrition Programs
Stress & Resilience Programs
Work Life balance programs
Health Coaches
Promote physical activity – encourage at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days
Tobacco cessation programs/ Nicotine Replacement Therapy

NCD Mortality Trends

The leading causes of NCDdeaths (2016)

Cardiovascular diseases (17.9 million deaths, or 44% of all ncd deaths)
Cancer (9.0 million, or 22% of all ncd deaths)
Respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.8 million of 9% of all ncd deaths).
Diabetes 1.6 million deaths