Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases and Predictive Factors in the Elderly in Southeast Asia

Abstract

The elderly are defined as individuals aged 60 and above, often associated with physical decline and helplessness. The increasing number of elderly people in the Southeast Asian region is followed by a high prevalence of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and overall, the leading cause of death in 2021 was non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which contributed more than 74% of total deaths, with about 18 million of them being premature deaths before reaching the age of 70. This study aims to analyze the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases and to identify predictive factors affecting the incidence of non-communicable diseases in the elderly population in the Southeast Asian region. This research uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach. Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and obesity are increasingly prevalent among the elderly population. Risk factors include unhealthy eating patterns, lack of physical activity, smoking, obesity, socio-economic limitations, poor living environments, and uneven access to healthcare services. In conclusion, managing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the elderly population in Southeast Asia requires an approach that involves multiple sectors. This approach must include attitude changes, health system improvements, preventive policies, and efforts to reduce socio-economic disparities.