The incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to rise, with at least 43 million people reported to die each year from these illnesses. According to data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, NCDs account for more than 75 percent of all deaths. Many countries, including Indonesia, also report insufficient funding for NCD management.
Professor of Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi, explained that the growing prevalence of NCDs is driven by several factors, including unhealthy lifestyles, lack of physical activity, high consumption of sugary drinks, and limited health promotion efforts.
“Health can actually be designed; it is not a matter of coincidence,” said Professor Dewi on Thursday (Sep. 18) at UGM.
She referred to findings from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (SKI), which showed that nearly one in three adults (30.8%) still suffer from hypertension, and only about 18.9% have their condition under control.
She noted that this data highlights a wide gap between diagnosis and treatment. Meanwhile, the consumption of sugary drinks remains high, with nearly half the population (47.5%) consuming them at least once a day.
Smoking also remains a burden, with around one in four people aged 15 years and older (24.7%) being active smokers.
“These figures remind us that curative services and early detection alone are not enough. Without strong health promotion alongside preventive and curative measures, efforts will fall short,” the professor stressed.
For this reason, she emphasized that promotion measures are essential to make health an easy choice.
The dilemma between treating illness (curative) and preventing it through screening (preventive) persists, but according to Professor Dewi, both are important, and a further step (promotion) is needed to reduce NCD prevalence.
“Promotion is not merely about campaigns. It also involves creating environments that support healthy living, such as access to healthier food and beverages, public spaces that encourage physical activity, smoke-free zones, and easy-to-understand nutrition information,” Professor Dewi explained.
She compared this with other countries, noting that when environments change, behaviors change too, without the need to assign blame. She further stressed the importance of synergistic approaches between businesses and government.
Businesses need to be encouraged to innovate so that consumers have access to clear information and healthier options, while the government ensures policies are implemented fairly.
“In short, a synergistic approach is needed: businesses are encouraged to innovate within set standards, consumers benefit from clear information and healthier choices, and the economy can continue to grow,” she said.
Professor Dewi outlined three reasons why promotive actions must be prioritized to reduce NCD prevalence.
First, they have a broad impact, are cost-effective, and can align with business practices. Broad impact arises because promotive policies touch people’s daily lives, such as clear nutrition labels, lower sugar content, or pedestrian-friendly public spaces.
“The result is that more people can remain healthy for longer. Death is certain for everyone, but living with a high quality of life and only a short period of illness before death is what we all hope for,” she explained.
Second, promotional actions are affordable. Professor Dewi noted that when healthier choices are more accessible, households do not need to ‘buy’ health at high costs; instead, it becomes part of a modern and enjoyable lifestyle.
Third, government collaboration with businesses is crucial. Professor Dewi emphasized that most thriving businesses today are those that do not support health.
“The government can set direction and standards so that industries continue to innovate within these frameworks, creating a healthy market and supporting economic growth,” she concluded.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik