EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Prevention of chronic diseases could save lives of people 36 million otherwise destined to die before 2015

Friday, 14 October 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - Chronic diseases are the main cause of death in the world: according to a World Health Organisation report on “Prevention of Chronic Illnesses” an estimated 17 million people die every year because of a global epidemic if chronic illnesses. The number continues to rise. A global epidemic which must be stopped to avoid unnecessary suffering and early death for millions of people with cardiovascular conditions, heart conditions, cancer, diabetes.
Contrary to common understanding people in low and middle income countries are the most vulnerable, where chronic illnesses cause 80% of all deaths. The WHO report focuses on situations in nine countries: Brazil, Canada, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Great Britain and Tanzania.
According to WHO global action to prevent chronic illnesses could save the lives of 36 million people otherwise doomed to die by 2015. The global objective is to reduced the estimated trend of death for chronic illness by 2% every year. This would help 36 prevent the death of 36 million people in the next ten years, half of which would otherwise die before reaching the age of 70.
In the majority of cases the risk factors of chronic illnesses are few, known and preventable. Three of the most important are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco consumption. Globally these risk factors are increasing. Over one billion people in the world are overweight or obese, and WHO expects the number to rise to 1.5 billion by 2015, unless counter measures are taken immediately. (AP) (14/10/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25; Parole:290)


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