Examining the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases among Elderly Individuals Aged 70 and Older in Jordan over Three Decades

BackgroundThis study investigates the trends in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the elderly population aged 70 and above in Jordan from 1991 to 2022. The elderly Jordanian population was targeted as it has vastly increased over the years, being approximately 6 times higher in 2021 than in 1991. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive insight on the burden of NCDs among Jordans elderly population . MethodsUsing data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), incidence rates, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality rates associated with NCDs were analyzed. ResultsThe findings of this study reveal a significant increase in the total burden of NCDs over the three decades reaching an absolute DALYs number of above 262,000 by 2021. Elderly females appear to have a slightly higher burden of NCDs when compared to males over the specified time period of 1991 to 2021. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were identified as the primary contributors to this increase and seem to have the highest two death rate ranks. However, when compared to global rates Jordan appears to have a 34% lower NCDs burden. The incidence rates appear to be stable with minimal change suggesting that the NCDs incidence has remained relatively constant in Jordan over the past three decades. ConclusionThis upward trend underscores the escalating public health challenge posed by NCDs in Jordans aging population. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in NCD burden and aims to inform healthcare policy and strategic planning to mitigate the impact of NCDs on the elderly in Jordan.