Sick Societies: Responding to the global challenge of chronic disease

Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Within the next few decades, the burden of chronic disease will more than triple, with the greatest rises occurring in developing countries. However, the rapid growth of chronic diseases is not being met with a proportionate increase in global attention, with global health traditionally focusing on infectious disease and maternal and child health.

This book is the first to synthesise the growing evidence-base surrounding the chronic disease, comprehensively addressing the prevention and control of chronic diseases from epidemiologic, economic, prevention/management, and governance perspectives.

Sick Societies is written in five main parts; the first part of the book aims to understand the causes and consequences of chronic diseases on a global level. The second part of the book identifies approaches for preventing and managing chronic diseases while the third part of the book considers the power and politics in global health that have stymied an effective response to chronic disease. In the fourth part of the book the themes from the first three parts come into focus through a series of invited contributions from leading public health experts. The final part of the book sets out a model of pragmatic and imaginative solidarity, wherein the struggles of the rich and poor to survive are united by a common cause and shared goals.