'Non-infectious diseases cause more deaths than infectious diseases'.Evaluate this statement using TWO named examples and data you have collected during the course.

The statement "Non-infectious diseases cause more deaths than infectious diseases" is generally accurate, especially in developed countries. Non-infectious diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person and they tend to develop slowly and last long periods of time.

1. Heart Disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in many developed countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2016, representing 31% of all global deaths. These conditions more often lead to chronic diseases that require long term treatment and care, which can lead to death if not managed properly.

2. Cancer: Cancer is another non-infectious disease that causes a significant number of deaths worldwide. The WHO reported that nearly 10 million people died from cancer in 2020, making it the second leading cause of death globally.

In contrast, infectious diseases, while they can be deadly, have seen a decrease in mortality rates due to advancements in medical treatments and vaccines. For example, HIV/AIDS caused 690,000 deaths in 2019, and malaria caused 409,000 deaths in 2019, according to WHO. While these numbers are still high, they are significantly lower than the deaths caused by heart disease and cancer.

Therefore, based on this data, it can be concluded that non-infectious diseases do indeed cause more deaths than infectious diseases. However, it's important to note that this can vary based on factors such as location, access to healthcare, and other socio-economic factors.