Battling NCDs for a Healthier Population

Abstract

A healthy labour force is the key for a strong and sustainable economic development, but non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly acting as a constraint in forming a healthy workforce. In Sri Lanka, it is estimated that out of the 8.4 million employed people, 17 per cent (1.4 million) are suffering from chronic disease. Indeed, the evidence points to a higher labour force participation rate amongst those who are not suffering from any chronic disease were 78.8 per cent for males and 38.3 per cent for females: but, for those who are having a chronic disease it drops to 58.6 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively.