A Bleak Statistic: Every Fifth Man in Europe Dies from Preventable Diseases
Over a fifth of European male population succumbs to treatable health conditions.
Yep, you heard that right. Non-communicable diseases continue to be the leading cause of death and disability globally, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO's European division, based in Copenhagen, shares a concerning statistic - these diseases are accountable for an estimated 1.8 million deaths in Europe that could have been prevented or delayed [1][2][3].
It's as grim as it sounds. Every fifth man and every tenth woman in the region may not reach the ripe age of 70 due to these diseases. So what makes 'em tick? Risk factors like tobacco and alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, obesity, or physical inactivity play a central role, according to the WHO Europe [1]. There's a silver lining, though - society can address these issues through better health policy.
The WHO's European region covers 53 nations, including 27 EU members and nations further east like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and Central Asian countries. While differences between countries have decreased since 2010, the divide remains substantial. Lower mortality rates from these diseases are seen in wealthy countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, whereas the east experiences much higher mortality [1].
"Non-communicable diseases are not only preventable or treatable - they're often overlooked," says WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge, who's not keen on these neglected killers. If NCDs were a virus, he'd argue we'd've been in multiple lockdowns already. Effective prevention or treatment could change the game, saving approximately two million lives and piling up billions in savings [1]. But there's a catch - governments aren't investing enough in prevention.
Oh, and these diseases are a costly headache for the pockets too. NCDs set the European region back around $514 billion dollars annually, putting a serious dent in the economy [1].
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa
- Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
- Health Policy
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Diabetes and Cancer
Enrichment Data: [Here's the deal with NCDs]
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs like cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the leading cause of preventable death in Europe [1][2][3]. Together, they account for approximately 1.8 million avoidable deaths per year in the WHO European Region, representing a significant public health burden [1][2].
- Leading Causes: Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the main NCDs responsible for premature mortality and disability [1][2][3].
- Preventability: Roughly 60% of these deaths are preventable through reduced exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. The remaining 40% can be averted by timely, high-quality healthcare [2].
- Economic Impact: NCDs cost the European region around US$ 514 billion annually, highlighting the substantial economic burden alongside the human costs [1].
- Trends and Challenges: While progress has been made in reducing NCD mortality since 2010, it has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all NCD mortality reduction targets will be met by 2025 or 2030. Inequalities in NCD mortality, air pollution, and some other factors have decreased, but tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes have increased [2].
- Integrated Action Needed: The WHO emphasizes the need for accelerated, multisectoral approaches and integrated policies to address the commercial, social, environmental, and digital determinants of health [2][3].
Chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD are of particular concern, with nearly 400,000 deaths in the region each year [3][4]. Prioritized action and the adoption of proven, cost-effective interventions are crucial to reduce preventable deaths and develop resilient health systems [2][3]. [Back to the original article]
- The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies non-communicable diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, as leading causes of preventable death in Europe.
- These diseases, including cancers and heart diseases, account for approximately 60% of their deaths due to risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol consumption.
- To address these preventable deaths, the WHO supports the adoption of comprehensive community and employment policies focusing on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and nutrition.
- Effective implementation of these policies could save approximately two million lives and generate billions in economic savings annually, significantly reducing the financial burden caused by non-communicable diseases.
