Kazakhstan leads Central Asia in fight against lifestyle diseases
Kazakhstan joins just nine other European Region states to meet WHO target of slashing NCD-related deaths by 25% before 2025
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan has emerged as a regional leader in public health, becoming the first country in Central Asia—and one of only ten in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region—to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% ahead of the 2025 deadline.
The milestone was highlighted in the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s latest report on preventable mortality and NCD control strategies. Other countries that met the target include Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and Estonia.
According to the WHO, these states have made consistent gains by deploying effective strategies, reducing risk factors such as smoking and poor diet, and strengthening healthcare systems.
In Kazakhstan’s case, the report singled out progress in tackling cardiovascular disease and cancer—two of the region’s most deadly NCDs.
Kazakhstan’s efforts have focused on prevention, early detection, and improved access to treatment. Authorities have rolled out national screening programs for eight major diseases—including hypertension, diabetes, and breast and colorectal cancers—with over 70% of the target population screened by the end of 2024.
Cardiovascular care has seen a major upgrade: the number of catheterization labs rose from 31 to 49 since 2017, while 83 dedicated stroke centers have been launched. These expansions have helped cut mortality and disability rates linked to strokes and heart disease.
The country has also pioneered high-tech interventions, including more than 600 ventricular assist device implants and 100 heart transplants since 2012. In 2024, Kazakhstan became the first in Central Asia and the CIS to introduce advanced cardiac arrhythmia treatment.
Parallel to medical advances, Kazakhstan has clamped down on behavioral risk factors. It enforces strict anti-smoking policies—including graphic warnings, advertising bans, public smoking restrictions, and a total ban on vapes and e-cigarettes—leading to a 20% drop in smoking rates over the past decade. Recent laws have also banned energy drinks for those under 21 and sugary drinks in schools.
Life expectancy has climbed from 74.44 years in 2022 to 75.09 years in 2023, reflecting the broader impact of these interventions.
The WHO noted that Kazakhstan has already implemented half of its recommended NCD control measures and completed its first national STEPS survey, an internationally recognized tool for tracking NCD risk factors—marking a leap forward in the country’s public health infrastructure.
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