It is very likely that every person reading this article knows somebody – a neighbour, a friend, a colleague, a relative – who has diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer. Did you know that while our genes can predispose us to cancer or hypertension, the choices we make in life have an even greater impact on our health?

The World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14 and it serves as a reminder of the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While NCDs have historically been associated with high-income populations, evidence shows that they are becoming prevalent among lower income groups.

Ticking time bomb

By 2030, NCD related deaths in Africa, including Kenya, are projected to exceed the combined deaths of communicable, nutrition diseases and maternal and perinatal deaths, according to the World Health Organization NCD fact sheet 2013.

The prevention and control of NCDs is now a priority issue in the Kenyan Government’s National Medium Term Plan (2014-2018) and National Health Strategic Plan (2014-2018).

Diabetes is today one of the major non-communicable diseases of public health importance. There are two major forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterised by a lack of insulin production; the cause is unknown and it cannot be prevented. Type 2 diabetes is far more common, accounting for about 90 per cent of all diabetes cases. Often preventable, it results from the body's ineffective use of insulin.

It doesn't kill

Most people with diabetes do not die of causes uniquely related to diabetes, but of associated cardiovascular complications, like a heart attack. Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves, causing chronic problems and early death.

The burden of diabetes affects the lower-income populations hardest. Strong evidence links poverty, lack of education and other social determinants to the disease and their risk factors.

The health and socio-economic toll of the non-communicable disease epidemic is impeding achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. That is especially the case for Goals 2 and 3 which have an emphasis on health and nutrition, respectively.

The two have an impact on women’s and children’s health, specifically since poor nutrition during pregnancy and early life causes a predisposition to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes later in life.

Prevention is always better

The prevention of diabetes can reduce poverty, particularly since the majority of expenditure for treatment is paid privately or from the National Hospital Insurance Fund.

At the same time, because of the magnitude of the illness, the disabilities and premature deaths caused and the long-term care required, diabetes reduces productivity and increases health-care costs, thereby weakening national economic development.

It is expensive to treat and properly manage diabetes, requiring about Sh12,000 (US$120) a month. Prevention is much cheaper.

The burden of diabetes can be significantly reduced and prevented, with millions of lives saved and immeasurable suffering avoided, through recognised and affordable measures, many of which are complementary to global health efforts already underway.

The increased consumption of unhealthy food is a major risk factor for Diabetes. Type 2 can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and increased physical activity, as well as avoidance of tobacco and harmful use of alcohol.

Those already affected should embrace a diet that helps to control sugar levels, engage in physical exercise and use medication as prescribed by the doctor.

These efforts will however not produce optimal results if we do not ensure that the environment facilitates healthier lifestyle choices. Policies to control advertisement of unhealthy foods such as alcohol, sugary drinks and fast foods are required especially for child audiences.

We need to ensure there are pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes as we design our roads. Indeed, addressing diabetes and NCDs are not only a concern of the Ministry of Health. A multi-sectoral approach is required to include ministries such as education, agriculture and transport.

Dr Mbau is the programme specialist for Non-Communicable Diseases in Amref Health Africa in Kenya lilian.mbau@amref.org