Temporal trends in the incidence and demographics of cancers, communicable diseases, and non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia over the last decade

Herzallah, Hatem K.; Antonisamy, Belavendra R.; Shafee, Mohammed H.; Al-Otaibi, Sultan T.

O ver the last 3 decades, Saudi Arabia has witnessed enormous progress in its socioeconomic condition that has resulted in prosperity and changes in lifestyle. 1 This, in turn, has decreased the prevalence of communicable diseases and increased the prevalence of non-communicable metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. 2 The Saudi Arabian population is relatively young. Several factors increase the risk of metabolic and chronic diseases in the Saudi Arabian population. 2 Cardiovascular ailments are at the top of the list of diseases causing highest number of mortality in Saudi Arabia. 3 Among this, ischemic heart disease accounts for 14% and stroke accounts for 11% of the total casualties in 2010. 3 Saudi Arabia provides free health-care services to its citizens. The government of Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized on improving the health situation in the country by focusing on 5 key health issues; namely, 1) health security and disease prevention, 2) control of communicable diseases, 3) control of non-communicable diseases, 4) accidents and injuries, and 5) strengthening of health systems, on a priority basis. 1 Cases of some infectious diseases were recently identified in Saudi Arabia, indicating that despite technological developments in diagnostics, treatment, and vaccination programs, various infectious diseases have re-emerged in Saudi Arabia after a decade. 4 For instance, the prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection increased in Saudi Arabia during 2012, and this disease continues to be a concern during the summer season and religious congregations in holy sites. 5 Cancers are a major health concern globally. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of the most common cancers has increased steadily, with colorectal cancer being the most common cancer among men and breast cancer being the most common cancer among women. [6] [7] [8] The scientific information available on the current status and trends of various communicable, non-communicable diseases and cancers are limited to the primary statistics available in the portals of Ministry of Health and other health agencies. However, studies on these publicly available data regarding its analysis to derive a conclusion regarding the trends of major disease in Saudi Arabia is scanty and scattered if existed. Hence, the present study was aimed at analyzing the trends in the incidence of 5 most common cancers, communicable diseases, and non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia over the last decade.