The prevalence and incidence of noncommunicable diseases in Libya have increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes and cancer contributed significantly to mortality and morbidity and have put a considerable strain on the country's health expenditure.
The prevalence of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases has risen as a result of changing lifestyles. The main causes of deaths are cardiovascular diseases (37%), cancer (13%), road traffic injuries (11%) and diabetes (5%).
In an effort to tackle this problem, the Ministry of Health and Population, with the support of WHO, has adopted the WHO STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance. The WHO STEPwise approach is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data in countries. The STEPwise survey was successfully conducted in 2009 using a standard survey instrument and a methodology adapted to Libya's resource setting.
Related programmes
Related documents
Country Report 2009 STEPS Survey Report (Arabic) [pdf, 1.92Mb]
Fact Sheet 2009 STEPS Fact Sheet [pdf, 67kb]
Related health topics
Noncommunicable diseases, see Chronic diseases
