Chronic Diseases: A Preventable Epidemic

The bad news: a WHO(World Health Organisation) study reveals that 60 per cent of the projected 58 million deaths in 2005 will be due to chronic illness. Physical inactivity and poor diet ups our risk of chronic disease (primarily heart disease and stroke), diabetes and some cancers.

The good news: we can prevent and control chronic diseases. The WHO said about 80 per cent of cases of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and 40 per cent of cancer could be prevented if their major causes -- such as unhealthy diet, physical activity and tobacco use -- were eliminated.

Nay, it will not happen to me!
Myth: Chronic diseases affect mainly old people
Truth: Around 16 million chronic disease deaths occur each year in people under 70 years of age, according to the WHO.

Myth: Chronic diseases affect mainly men.
Truth: Chronic diseases, including heart disease, affect women and men almost equally, according to the WHO.

Myth: Chronic diseases won't happen to me because I feel healthy!
Truth: 7 out of 10 Americans who die each year, or more than 1.7 million people die of a chronic disease, according to the U.S. National Cancer for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

References
1.Opening Remarks at meeting on avian influenza and pandemic human influenza. World Health Organization
2.Chronic Disease Overview. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
3.Preventing Global Diseases. A Vital Investment - WHO