Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is a parasitic eye and skin disease. It is caused by a worm (filaria) and is transmitted to humans through a type of biting blackfly. These flies breed in fast-flowing streams and rivers within intertropical zones, increasing the risk of blindness to individuals living nearby.

Obesity rates are rapidly increasing in the African Region, as in most parts of the world. Overweight and obesity, particularly in urban settings, are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and a variety of cancers.