Menu
Click on the icons below to learn about each NCD.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, that can be congenital or acquired. In 2019, CVDs were attributed to 18.5 million deaths; more than 3 out of 4 these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Children can also be affected by CVDs – in 2019, more than 16.8 million children had some form of CVD. Heart disease in children include, but are not limited to, congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and paediatric stroke. Of the one million children born each year with a heart defect, 90% live in areas where appropriate medical care is absent or insufficient.
Childhood and adolescence are critical opportunities for the prevention of CVD. Unhealthy lifestyle factors, adopted at a young age, are a leading cause of the development of preventable CVDs in later life. Approaches to the prevention and management of CVDs must proactively address the individual- and population-level risk factors that underlie the progressive loss of cardiovascular health, leading to a substantial risk of CVD outcomes in adulthood.
For additional resources on childhood CVD prevention and management, please visit:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are disorders of the heart and blood vessels, that can be congenital or acquired. In 2019, CVDs were attributed to 18.5 million deaths; more than 3 out of 4 these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Children can also be affected by CVDs – in 2019, more than 16.8 million children had some form of CVD. Heart disease in children include, but are not limited to, congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and paediatric stroke. Of the one million children born each year with a heart defect, 90% live in areas where appropriate medical care is absent or insufficient.
Childhood and adolescence are critical opportunities for the prevention of CVD. Unhealthy lifestyle factors, adopted at a young age, are a leading cause of the development of preventable CVDs in later life. Approaches to the prevention and management of CVDs must proactively address the individual- and population-level risk factors that underlie the progressive loss of cardiovascular health, leading to a substantial risk of CVD outcomes in adulthood.
For additional resources on childhood CVD prevention and management, please visit:
Mental Health Mental disorders include anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, behaviour disorders, conduct disorder, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. They also include intellectual disabilities and neurological disorders such as epilepsy and dementia.
Approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders are heavily influenced by context and vary across countries and cultures.
In 2019, over 227 million children and young people experience mental disorders. Untreated mental disorders can severely influence young people’s development, their educational attainments and their quality of life.
Young people with mental disorders also contribute to an increased prevalence of disability and are faced with stigma, isolation and discrimination, as well as lack of access to health care and education facilities.
For additional resources on mental health in young people, please visit: WHO
Mental health Mental disorders include anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, behaviour disorders, conduct disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. They also include intellectual disabilities and neurological disorders such as epilepsy and dementia.
Approaches to the prevention and treatment of mental disorders are heavily influenced by context and vary across countries and cultures.
In 2019, over 227 million children and young people experienced mental disorders. Untreated mental disorders can severely influence young people’s development, their educational attainments and their quality of life.
Young people with mental disorders also contribute to an increased prevalence of disability and are faced with stigma, isolation and discrimination, as well as lack of access to health care and education facilities.
For additional resources on mental health in young people, please visit: WHO
Cancer Paediatric cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in children and adolescents accounting for more than 132,000 deaths in 2019; however, survival rates vary significantly. In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured; the number drops to 10% in LMIC. Lack of diagnosis, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, obstacles to accessing care, abandonment of treatment, and death from toxicity factor into these low survival rates.
The most common categories of childhood cancers are: leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas and solid tumors, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors; most cannot be prevented or screened.
The causes of paediatric cancer are often unknown and prevention efforts should focus on risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing cancer as an adult.
Improving outcomes for children requires early and accurate diagnosis, access to effective treatment, and palliative care. This includes access to quality, age-appropriate formularies of essential medicines. Improved surveillance of cancer data through paediatric registries are needed to fully grasp the burden of disease in children.
For additional resources on childhood cancer, please visit:
Cancer 
Chronic Respiratory Diseases Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are diseases of the airways and other structures that include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea and occupational lung diseases.
Asthma is the most common condition that affects children and adults alike and though it affects people at all levels of development, it is disproportionately fatal in LMICs.
It’s estimated that 334 million people currently suffer from asthma and is the most common chronic disease of childhood as it affects 14% of all children globally.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another common CRD that affects more than 212 million people and causes 3.2 million deaths globally . Risk factors for most CRDs include tobacco smoke, air pollution, occupational chemicals, dusts, and frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood.
Childhood and adult CRD is closely linked. Early childhood respiratory infection, asthma or environmental exposures may lead to chronic disease in adulthood. CRD prevention requires action at various levels.
Primary prevention can reduce levels of exposure to common risk factors including tobacco, environmental air pollution, and poor nutrition.
Secondary prevention involves strengthening health care services for people suffering with CRDs including access to care, treatment, and specialty care.
Tertiary prevention requires strengthening surveillance systems and to advocate the integration of prevention and control of CRDs into policies across all government departments.
For additional resources on chronic respiratory diseases, please visit:
Chronic respiratory diseases Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are diseases of the airways and other structures that include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea and occupational lung diseases.
Asthma is the most common condition that affects children and adults alike and though it affects people at all levels of development, it is disproportionately fatal in LMICs.
It’s estimated that 334 million people currently suffer from asthma and is the most common chronic disease of childhood as it affects 14% of all children globally.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another common CRD that affects more than 212 million people and causes 3.2 million deaths globally. Risk factors for most CRDs include tobacco smoke, air pollution, occupational chemicals, dusts, and frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood.
Childhood and adult CRD is closely linked. Early childhood respiratory infection, asthma or environmental exposures may lead to chronic disease in adulthood. CRD prevention requires action at various levels.
Primary prevention can reduce levels of exposure to common risk factors including tobacco, environmental air pollution, and poor nutrition.
Secondary prevention involves strengthening health care services for people suffering with CRDs including access to care, treatment, and specialty care.
Tertiary prevention requires strengthening surveillance systems and to advocate the integration of prevention and control of CRDs into policies across all government departments.
For additional resources on chronic respiratory diseases, please visit:
Diabetes The frequency of diabetes is rising around the world, and studies are showing young people are at increasing risk of developing the disease.
Since 1990, the prevalence of children and adolescents with diabetes worldwide has increased from 2.7 million to 4.5 million in 2019.
Type 1 diabetes, traditionally called childhood-onset diabetes, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to cause the majority of Type 1 diabetes cases. At present, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 2 diabetes is increasing exponentially and developing at a younger age, including in adolescence and childhood.
The most prevalent risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Lifestyle modification programs for young people are crucial for the prevention of diabetes and a number of other medical complications and conditions associated with childhood obesity.
Strategies for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes include healthy eating and increased physical activity. Cost-effective medicines and equipment to diagnose and manage diabetes are available, safe and highly effective, but remain inaccessible and unaffordable to many people in LMICs.
For additional resources on diabetes, please visit: International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes The frequency of diabetes is rising around the world, and studies are showing young people are at increasing risk of developing the disease.
Since 1990, the prevalence of children and adolescents with diabetes worldwide has increased from 2.7 million to 4.5 million in 2019.
Type 1 diabetes, traditionally called childhood-onset diabetes, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to cause the majority of Type 1 diabetes cases. At present, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 2 diabetes is increasing exponentially and developing at a younger age, including in adolescence and childhood.
The most prevalent risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Lifestyle modification programs for young people are crucial for the prevention of diabetes and a number of other medical complications and conditions associated with childhood obesity.
Strategies for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes include healthy eating and increased physical activity. Cost-effective medicines and equipment to diagnose and manage diabetes are available, safe and highly effective, but remain inaccessible and unaffordable to many people in LMICs.
For additional resources on diabetes, please visit: International Diabetes Federation
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health Sexual initiation and sexual activity vary widely by region, country, and gender. However, in all regions young people are reaching puberty earlier, often engaging in sexual activity at a younger age.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, HIV transmission, unplanned pregnancies, and sexual abuse. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be easily cured with antibiotics when caught early but others have no known cure. Left untreated, some STIs can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, organ damage, and even death.
Adolescent pregnancies increasingly lead to a number of complications for the mother including anemia, malaria, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, postpartum hemorrhage and mental disorders, such as depression.
Stillbirths and sudden infant death syndrome are also more common among babies born to adolescent mothers. Many young people face barriers to reproductive health information and family planning services. Even where they exist, a large proportion of reproductive health services fail to provide age-appropriate, non-judgmental and full range supportive care to adolescents. Many societies openly disapprove adolescent sexual activity due to embedded cultural and religious factors and beliefs. Support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health must include comprehensive sexuality education; services to prevent, diagnose and treat STIs; and counselling on family planning.
For additional resources on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, please visit: United Nations Population Fund
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health Sexual initiation and sexual activity vary widely by region, country, and gender. However, in all regions young people are reaching puberty earlier, often engaging in sexual activity at a younger age.
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, HIV transmission, unplanned pregnancies, and sexual abuse. Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be easily cured with antibiotics when caught early but others have no known cure. Left untreated, some STIs can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, organ damage, and even death.
Adolescent pregnancies increasingly lead to a number of complications for the mother including anemia, malaria, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, postpartum hemorrhage and mental disorders, such as depression.
Stillbirths and sudden infant death syndrome are also more common among babies born to adolescent mothers. Many young people face barriers to reproductive health information and family planning services. Even where they exist, a large proportion of reproductive health services fail to provide age-appropriate, non-judgmental and full range supportive care to adolescents. Many societies openly disapprove of adolescent sexual activity due to embedded cultural and religious factors and beliefs. Support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health must include comprehensive sexuality education, services to prevent, diagnose and treat STIs, and counselling on family planning.
For additional resources on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, please visit: United Nations Population Fund
Injury prevention and violence Injury and violence are a significant cause of childhood morbidity, mortality and disability.
In 2019, 154 million children and adolescents were affected by injuries and violence. The burden of violence and injury is greatest in low-income countries and communities. Overall, more than 95% of all injury deaths in young people occur in low-income and middle-income countries.
During the ten year period of 2008-2017, over 205,000 children aged 0 to 14 years lost their lives worldwide as a result of homicide. This number rises to over 1.6 million when accounting for adolescents and young adults. This number underestimates the true extent of the problem, as a significant proportion of child maltreatment deaths are underreported, incorrectly attributed to falls, burns, drowning, and other unintentional accidents.
Adverse childhood events are also associated with significantly increased risk of substance abuse, depression, suicide attempt, smoking and sexually transmitted disease.
Injury and violence prevention requires a wide range of approaches, including implementing and enforcing safety legislation and standards, promoting home and transport safety, modifying products or the environment, improving family support services and improving care and rehabilitation of injured young people.
For additional resources on injury and violence prevention, please visit:
Injury prevention and violence Injury and violence are a significant cause of childhood morbidity, mortality and disability.
In 2019, 154 million children and adolescents were affected by injuries and violence. The burden of violence and injury is greatest in low-income countries and communities. Overall, more than 95% of all injury deaths in young people occur in low-income and middle-income countries.
During the ten year period of 2008-2017, over 205,000 children aged 0 to 14 years lost their lives worldwide as a result of homicide. This number rises to over 1.6 million when accounting for adolescents and young adults. This number underestimates the true extent of the problem, as a significant proportion of child maltreatment deaths are underreported, incorrectly attributed to falls, burns, drowning, and other unintentional accidents.
Adverse childhood events are also associated with significantly increased risk of substance abuse, depression, suicide attempt, smoking and sexually transmitted disease.
Injury and violence prevention requires a wide range of approaches, including implementing and enforcing safety legislation and standards, promoting home and transport safety, modifying products or the environment, improving family support services and improving care and rehabilitation of injured young people.
For additional resources on injury and violence prevention, please visit:
Disabilities According to the World Report on Disability approximately one billion people in the world are living with a disability, with at least 1 in 10 being young people and 80% living in developing countries.
Young people with disabilities are one of the most marginalized, discriminated and excluded groups of young people. It’s estimated that up to 190 million young people live with disabilities though globally, very few countries collect reliable information on the number of young people with disabilities, the types of disabilities present or how these disabilities impact the lives of those affected.
The global increase in NCDs is having a profound effect on disability trends with the four most prevalent NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases – estimated to account for about two thirds of all years lived with disability in LMICs.
While young people may experience impairment as a result of an NCD, it is not the cause of, nor does it justify disability. Instead, disability is the result of an interaction between a person with impairment, for example, paralysis or a hearing impairment, and the attitudinal and environmental barriers that impede their full participation in society on an equal basis with others, for example, attending school. Communities and governments must reduce these barriers to ensure that young people with impairments caused by NCDs are able to fully participate in all aspects of society to the best of their capacity.
For additional resources on disability and young people, please visit: UNICEF
Disabilities According to the World Report on Disability approximately one billion people in the world are living with a disability, with at least 1 in 10 being young people and 80% living in developing countries.
Young people with disabilities are one of the most marginalized, discriminated and excluded groups of young people. It’s estimated that up to 190 million young people live with disabilities though globally, very few countries collect reliable information on the number of young people with disabilities, the types of disabilities present or how these disabilities impact the lives of those affected.
The global increase in NCDs is having a profound effect on disability trends with the four most prevalent NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases – estimated to account for about two thirds of all years lived with disability in LMICs.
While young people may experience impairment as a result of an NCD, it is not the cause of, nor does it justify disability. Instead, disability is the result of an interaction between a person with impairment, for example, paralysis or a hearing impairment, and the attitudinal and environmental barriers that impede their full participation in society on an equal basis with others, for example, attending school. Communities and governments must reduce these barriers to ensure that young people with impairments caused by NCDs are able to fully participate in all aspects of society to the best of their capacity.
For additional resources on disability and young people, please visit: UNICEF
Centre for Global Child Health
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
525 University Avenue
Suite 702
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5G 2L3