Estimating and Monitoring Burden of Non-Communicable and Chronic Diseases in Ghana

Olutobi A. Sanuade, University College London

In Ghana, there are evidence showing that chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging conditions and many studies have made this claim. This assertion is based on epidemiological transition theory which posits that as a society modernises, the pattern of disease shifts from infectious to chronic noncommunicable diseases. But to what extent can we say that the patterns of disease have changed in Ghana considering the weak nature of disease surveillance in the country. The aim of this paper is not to argue whether or not there is a transition going in Ghana, but to evaluate the data used in making knowledge about burden of NCDs in the country. I argue that while health metrics such as disability adjusted life years (DALYs) have provided important information about the broader impact of NCDs in the country, caution should be taken in developing policies based on these measures.