Constructing an Alternative Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Surveillance Indicator in Malaysia

• Main Author: Grace,Chee Yao, Lee
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2021
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35789/3/Grace%20Lee%20Chee%20Yao.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/35789/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a leading cause of death that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Hence, it is vital to target the major risks that cause an increased prevalence of NCDs, particularly in Malaysia. In this study, a composite leading indicator, which included six sub-pillars and 29 sub-components, was employed, by adopting the indicator construction procedure outlined by the Conference Board (2000). A weighting scheme—both equal weighted and PCA-weighted—was applied to both sub-pillars and sub-components, where the set of weightages were derived from the loading factor of the PCA. In short, the objective of this study is to develop an alternative non–communicable diseases (NCDs) surveillance indicator to target risks prevalence. The findings show that the leading characteristics were successfully determined. Chronologies for the series were determined and the average leading quarters and directional accuracy were acquired. Then, binomial testing was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the computed equal-weighted and PCA-weighted approach, NCDRI, to forecast the direction of fluctuations. Later, NCDRI was selected and subsequently subjected to an econometric analysis to model the relationship between NCDs risks and macroeconomic variables. This study also presented an empirical discussion of the interactions between NCDs risks, human capital development, and economic growth.