Balgarianovinite.com Stress is a systemic psychosocial risk and a driver of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the state should play a proactive role in prevention, participants in the forum STRESS OFF – TECH ON agreed on Thursday. The event, dedicated to the link between science, technology and stress prevention as a factor for sustainable development, was organized by Somenso, Sofia Tech Park, the National Scientific and Research Development Fund (SNRDF) and Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association.
“The problem is not stress itself, but that we detect it too late, after it has accumulated relentlessly,” said psychophysiologist Silvia Kumanova, founder of Somenso. She compared stress to radiation – invisible, yet affecting health and quality of life.
According to Kumanova, chronic stress is a biological accelerator of NCDs, not merely a psychological issue. Elevated cortisol levels contribute to insulin resistance, increased blood sugar and visceral fat accumulation, leading to type 2 diabetes. Chronic cardiovascular strain can result in hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.
She noted that cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses and mental disorders share a common denominator – human behaviour shaped by accumulated stress. Smoking, poor diet, alcohol consumption, air pollution exposure and lack of physical activity are modifiable behavioural risk factors.
Alarming Health Indicators in Bulgaria
Kumanova pointed out that cardiovascular mortality in Bulgaria in 2024 and 2025 was three times higher than in other European countries. Nearly 20% of all deaths in Bulgaria are due to stroke. The probability of premature death from NCDs stands at 24%, with men facing twice the risk of women.
She also highlighted rising cancer mortality rates and warned that overall mortality is expected to remain high through 2030.
Health expenditure in Bulgaria amounts to 8.6% of GDP, compared with 10.4% in the EU. Average spending per capita on disease prevention is about EUR 200 in the EU, but only EUR 31 in Bulgaria. Public spending on medicines accounts for 32.5% of healthcare expenditure in Bulgaria, compared with 17.8% in the EU, while out-of-pocket payments reach 38% in Bulgaria versus 15% in the EU average.
Globally, around 60% of deaths are due to NCDs. By 2030, cancer deaths in Europe are projected to exceed 11 million annually, and cardiovascular deaths to surpass 23 million. Population ageing is a key factor, likely to increase pharmaceutical spending by nearly 50%.
Economic Impact of Stress and Mental Health
Between 75% and 90% of doctor visits are related to stress-induced conditions, Kumanova said. Worldwide, 40% of employees experienced significant stress the previous day, and 42% of managers report higher stress levels than their staff.
Depression and anxiety cost the global economy USD 1 trillion annually in lost productivity. Mental health problems cost the EU economy more than EUR 600 billion per year. Burnout alone accounts for USD 322 billion in lost global turnover and productivity.
An online survey conducted in April-May 2025 among 850 respondents listed the top ten most stressful professions. The survey found that 60% consider doctors to have the most stressful profession. Nearly half pointed to teachers, 30.2% to firefighters, 28.7% to nurses, 20.8% to police officers,15.7% to kindergarten staff, and 9.9% identified drivers as having a highly stressful job.
Digital Solutions and Early Detection
Kumanova emphasized the growing role of digital therapeutics, offering behavioural interventions, disease management for diabetes and hypertension, stress reduction and improved treatment adherence.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used for early detection of stress risk, enabling up to 40% earlier identification and reducing hospitalizations by up to 30%, she said.
Deputy Health Minister Petar Gribnev stressed that the Health Ministry has a responsibility to monitor these trends and expressed readiness to work toward developing a national programme to combat what he described as an “invisible killer”. He added that investing in mental health today would yield long-term benefits for a healthier and more resilient nation. Experts Describe Stress as Systemic Psychosocial Risk Leading to Chronic Disease 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-02-26 18:03:15 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law