Pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period: opportunities to improve lifetime outcomes for women with non‐communicable diseases

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, malignant neoplasms, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the primary cause of death and disability among women, with women remaining susceptible throughout their life spans. Estimates indicate that women in most countries (88%) have a higher probability of dying before the age of 70 from an NCD than from communicable, perinatal and nutritional conditions combined. Most premature deaths due to NCDs (86%) occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), but health inequalities persist in high income countries (HICs) and NCDs affect some population groups more than others. In addition, the effects of the pandemic of NCDs on global health are intertwined with effects of climate change.