According to a recent report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes have caused a 43% increase in deaths since 2000.

These conditions, along with others such as hypertension, overweight, and obesity, thrive due to risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, sugary drinks, physical inactivity, and prolonged exposure to air pollution.

Given their devastating social, economic, and public health impact, NCDs represent one of the greatest challenges for governments and healthcare systems.

Tracking the evolution and trends of these diseases, PAHO’s report NCDs at a Glance 2025 provides an extensive analysis of "mortality from noncommunicable diseases and the prevalence of their risk factors in the Region of the Americas."

In this region, as in the rest of the world, NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability. The report states that in 2021 alone, they caused approximately six million deaths, accounting for 65% of all fatalities, with 38% occurring in people under 70.

The diseases with the highest mortality rates were:

Cardiovascular diseases, responsible for 2,163,312 deaths (34.5%),
Cancer, with 1,366,493 deaths (21.8%),
Other NCDs, contributing 1,904,984 deaths (30.4%).

Chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes caused fewer deaths but remained significant, with 416,467 (6.6%) and 420,483 (6.7%) fatalities, respectively. Injuries and mental health disorders also fall under the NCD classification.

A consistent finding across all countries is that cardiovascular diseases—including ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and rheumatic heart disease—are the leading cause of death.

Comparative data also show that in cancer-related deaths, lung cancer is the most common among men, followed by prostate cancer. Among women, lung cancer ranks second after breast cancer, while colorectal cancer is a leading cause of death for both sexes.

Diabetes, particularly type 2, has seen a dramatic rise over the past 30 years and is closely linked to obesity. The PAHO report notes that diabetes claims more lives among men than women, a disparity that has widened since 2000.

Chronic respiratory diseases—such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary hypertension—are primarily driven by smoking, air pollution, occupational chemical exposure, and dust.

The report also highlights mental health disorders, including suicide, which it describes as a "tragedy" affecting families, communities, and entire nations. Among young people aged 15 to 29, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death.

Men are significantly more affected, and though suicide occurs at all ages, adolescents and young adults are the most vulnerable. Between 2000 and 2021, suicide rates rose by 17.4%, with male rates tripling those of females. However, the report emphasizes that suicide can be prevented through early intervention, timely support, accessible care, and well-structured policies.

NCDs vs. Risk Factors

NCDs are primarily non-infectious conditions that often require long-term treatment and care. Yet, addressing common risk factors—such as tobacco and alcohol use, poor diet, and physical inactivity—could help prevent many cases.

The report reveals that in 2022:

37.5% of children and adolescents were overweight or obese,
67.5% of adults faced the same issue,
13.1% of the population had diabetes, though only 58% of those over 30 received treatment.

In 2019 (the latest available data):

35.4% of adults aged 30–79 had hypertension,
Only 69.8% were diagnosed,
Just 36.4% had their blood pressure under control.

The report also stresses the dangers of air pollution, which increases the risk of acute and chronic respiratory diseases. PAHO urges countries to strengthen measures to reduce pollutants and meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines.

This comprehensive report serves as a crucial tool for managing NCDs effectively and developing prevention strategies to reduce their global burden.

Its release comes ahead of the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being, scheduled for September 25.