98% of Jordanians believe green spaces, healthcare access key to NCD reduction

AMMAN — Ninety-eight per cent of Jordanians believe that creating green spaces and increasing access to healthcare services will help reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to a survey.  

NCDs are illnesses that are not passed from person to person, and are the leading cause of death worldwide, killing approximately 41 million people each year, as reported by Global polling company Gallup.

Gallup, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, conducted an international survey in 2021 and 2022 titled “Public perceptions of Noncommunicable Diseases: Awareness and Understanding”. 

The aim of the survey was to understand people’s perceptions of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. The survey covered 7,000 participants across five countries — Colombia, India, Jordan, the United Republic of Tanzania and the US.

The majority of people surveyed across all countries supported a wide range of interventions and policies that can reduce deaths from NCDs. The survey found most respondents rank an NCD, or NCD risk factor, as the biggest health problem in their country. In Jordan’s case, “66 per cent of Jordanians support higher taxes on tobacco related products” to prevent smoking-related NCDs, the report said.

At the same time, the study also found that self-reported awareness of the links between NCDs and major risk factors — including tobacco and alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity — was low.

Ahmad Al Hussein, a 30-year-old Jordanian, told The Jordan Times that he is “not surprised” by the survey results. “A lack of physical activity has become a major issue in our society; it’s no wonder NCDs are on the rise,” Hussein said.

Hussein noted that creating green spaces and promoting safe walking routes will not only encourage exercise, but also provide families with pleasant environments to spend time together.