Males and females across the world are dying at different rates from risk factors, says a study report in New Scientist (December 22/29, 2012).
Globally, 66%
of the population are dying from non-infectious diseases, reports New
Scientist, citing a study in The Lancet (December, 2012). These include cancer,
heart disease, and stroke. However, there is a difference between males and
females. The most common cause of death amongst females in the world is due to
AIDS (14.4% of women) with cardiovascular diseases second (10.7% of female
deaths). Injuries and pregnancy-related conditions are responsible for 7.5% and
7.3% of female deaths respectively. Among the lowest cause of female deaths is
car accident (0.5% of all deaths).
The most significant
cause of death in men is cardiovascular disease (12.8% of deaths), with AIDS
and car accidents equal second at 10.7% of all male deaths globally. Violence causes
5.2% of all male deaths. So the message for males is to reduce car accidents
and violence, while the message for females is to take precautions sexually.
Smoking and
drinking alcohol are also high risk factors, says the Global Burden of Disease report.
Death from alcohol-related causes has increased significantly in Latin America
and Eastern Europe. Smoking is on the rise in developing countries with between
50%-60% of men smoking in India and Bangladesh.
The report
says that the indicators of healthy living are more fruit, more exercise, and
less salt. Physical inactivity and poor diet contribute to a 10% reduction of people’s
lives globally. Although in most countries, the cost of fruit is expensive,
increasing annual consumption can add years to a person’s life. Developing
countries also consume more salt which causes high blood pressure, a risk factor
for heart disease.
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