Non-communicable diseases: unwelcome in Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction
Ethiopia faces the unenviable threat of a triple burden of disease: infectious or communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries are steadily increasing and pose risks the lives of Ethiopians. The problems are particularly apparent in urban centers of the country. With the expansion of urbanization (1), booming construction activities and limited commensurate social infrastructures, urban centers exhibit complex public health problems. The unprecedented pace at which urbanization is expanding in Ethiopia (1) poses challenges not only for addressing existing (infectious/communicable) diseases but also for emerging ones, as well as the fast-growing NCDs and injuries.