Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública Print version ISSN
1020-4989 CONSIGLIO, Ezequiel. Emerging noninfectious diseases.
Rev Panam Salud Publica [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.5, pp.
361-368. ISSN 1020-4989.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892008001100008. In recent
years, emerging diseases were defined as being infectious,
acquiring high incidence, often suddenly, or being a threat or
an unexpected phenomenon. This study discusses the hallmarks of
emerging diseases, describing the existence of noninfectious
emerging diseases, and elaborating on the advantages of defining
noninfectious diseases as emerging ones. From the discussion of
various mental health disorders, nutritional deficiencies,
external injuries and violence outcomes, work injuries and
occupational health, and diseases due to environmental factors,
the conclusion is drawn that a wide variety of noninfectious
diseases can be defined as emergent. Noninfectious emerging
diseases need to be identified in order to improve their control
and management.