Chronic Diseases in Japan and Hungary How Are These Countries Fighting Chronic Diseases?As a medical student who has been studying medicine for four years, I often wonder how different countries tackle the same health challenges. When I go to clinical practices as a part of the University curriculum, I face so many patients suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases in hospitals. The numbers of patients with Chronic diseases like heart problems, diabetes, and cancer are not just numbers in textbooks—they Chronic diseases, often called non-communicable diseases (NCDs), are a growing problem worldwide. They are not only a leading cause of death but also a significant burden on healthcare systems.Japan: Japan has one of the highest life expectancies globally, with women living an average of 87 years and men about 81 years. However, diseases that are not passed from one person to another (non-communicable diseases, or NCDs) cause most deaths—around 82%. The leading causes are cancer, heart problems, and diabetes. Since 1981, cancer has been the top cause of death, accounting for almost 29% of all deaths in 2015. Heart disease comes second, causing 15% of deaths. Japan’s aging population further exacerbates the challenge, as older adults are more susceptible to suffer from these long-term illnesses.Japan’s Approach: Japan focuses heavily on preventing diseases before they happen. Programs like “Health Japan 21” encourage people to eat healthy, exercise, and go for regular health check-ups. In 2008, Japan launched a mandatory program to tackle lifestyle-related diseases like obesity and metabolic syndrome. People undergo annual check-ups that include screenings for these conditions, and those at risk receive personalized advice to improve their health.Hungary’s Strategy: Hungary emphasizes early detection. The “Comprehensive Health Screening Program 2010–2030” offers free health checks to find diseases early. These programs target working people and disadvantaged groups by working with local organizations. Hungary also collaborates with the World Health Organization to test community-level health initiatives for better results.affect millions of lives. Japan and Hungary, two countries with very different healthcare systems and cultures, have unique ways of managing these conditions. In this article, I’ll explore the prevalence of chronic diseases in these nations, the strategies they’re implementing to combat them, and the lessons we can learn from their efforts. Hungary: Hungary has some of the highest rates of preventable deaths in Europe. In 2018, 326 out of every 100,000 people died from conditions that could have been avoided. Major causes include lung cancer, heart disease, and alcohol-related illnesses. Between the ages of 30 and 70, the likelihood of dying from NCDs is 22%, much higher than the European average of 16%. Hungary also faces challenges related to unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking and high alcohol consumption, which significantly contribute to the high prevalence of these diseases. Similar to Japan, Hungary’s healthcare system is under strain as it grapples with chronic conditions while also addressing wider socioeconomic challenges.10Shota TakanoushiSemmelweis University, Budapest, HungaryManaging Chronic Diseases (Lessons from Japan and Hungary)
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