Chronic illness set to reach epidemic levels
Chronic illnesses have reached global epidemic proportions and now cause more deaths than all other diseases combined
Chronic illnesses have reached global epidemic proportions and now cause more deaths than all other diseases combined
In its first worldwide report on so-called non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, the UN health body said the conditions caused more than half of all deaths in 2008 and pose a greater threat than infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis (TB) – even in many poorer countries where these are more prevalent.
NCDs, which include heart disease, lung diseases, cancer and diabetes, accounted for 36 million, or 63 percent, of the 57 million deaths worldwide in 2008. Millions of lives could be saved and much suffering avoided if people did more to avoid risk factors like smoking, drinking and being overweight, the WHO also said.
It found that almost six million people die from tobacco use every year – both directly from smoking, and indirectly from second-hand smoke. By 2020, this will increase to 7.5 million – the equivalent of ten percent of all deaths caused by disease worldwide. Additionally, 3.2 million people die each year because of a lack of physical activity, and at least 2.8 million as a result of being overweight or obese.
