Epidemiological Transition in Indonesia and Its Prevention: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: Indonesia is undergoing an epidemiological transition, changing from a public health problem with the prevalence of a dominant infectious disease to a non-communicable disease. Some of the causes of this transition include technological advances, economy, modern transportation, lifestyle, changes in food consumption and others Objective: This paper aims to describe epidemiological transition and its prevention in Indonesia. Methods: A narrative review was conducted by searching in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engine from 2001 to 2020 with the following search terms: nutrition transition, dietary transition, shifting epidemiology, epidemiological transition. Results: Indonesia has experienced the epidemiological transition from infections to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). All types of NCDs have increased in the last three decades. NCDs also occur among the younger population despite preventability. The promotion of healthy lives and well-being to decrease NCDs in Indonesia delivered through early detection of their risk factors through Integrated Guidance Post (Posbindu) Conclusion: An epidemiological shift has occurred in Indonesia. In the 1990s, infectious diseases outnumbered but however, noncommunicable diseases will be the most common, by the 2020s. Early detection is required to prevent their development.