site.btaChronic Noncommunicable Diseases Are Main Health Hazard for Bulgarians - Report

Sofia, January 31 (BTA) - Chronic noncommunicable diseases, which are the main cause of death and reduced working capacity, are the main challenge to the health of Bulgarians and a priority for future active intervention. This is one of the conclusions of the annual Report on Public Health which was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, the Government Information Service said.

Cardiovascular diseases, including brain stroke, and malignant neoplasms have the largest negative contribution, the document finds. They also account for the largest share of the preventable death rate which annually affects over 20,000 Bulgarians.

The report notes that policies targeting these main groups of conditions can lead to a considerable improvement of individual and public health, especially considering that they are directly related to and influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors.

The report focuses on public health in 2016, the activities involved and the costs to achieve the main goals and tasks in healthcare.

According to the report, the state of Bulgarians' health in general is steadily improving in terms of a lower death rate and disease incidence, particularly among young people. Although the country is comparatively lagging behind in many European averages, there are objective trends of improvement. The report concludes that the results of the National Health Strategy 2020 in its first year are adequate to the identified challenges to public health.