Men in Europe have a high early mortality rate from cancer, with approximately 20% of males succumbing to the disease prematurely, according to WHO.
Revamped Report on Severe Health Threats in Europe
Cancer, diabetes, and other non-transmissible health issues continue to reign as the prime causes of fatalities and disabilities across the globe, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). In their latest report, the WHO's Copenhagen office alleges that these issues account for roughly 1.8 million preventable deaths in Europe every year. By implementing effective health measures, early detection, and quality treatments, many of these deaths could be either averted or delayed.
One in five men and one in ten women in the region succumb to these non-transmissible diseases (NTDs) before the age of 70. NTDs encompass cardiovascular diseases, respiratory maladies, and other chronic illnesses. A majority of these deaths, approximately 60%, are traceable to risk factors like tobacco and alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, obesity, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure. The WHO Europe emphasizes that these risk factors can be targeted with better health policies and regulations.
To put things in perspective, these diseases are not only preventable or treatable; they are significantly overlooked, according to WHO Regional Director, Hans Kluge. The implications of this oversight are staggering. Better prevention methods or treatments could forestall nearly two million deaths, and save billions of dollars. Remarkably, an estimated over $514 billion (approximately €440 billion) is lost due to productivity losses each year. Regrettably, insufficient resources are dedicated to prevention.
The WHO's European region accommodates 53 countries, notably the EU's 27 members, as well as nations such as Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the Central Asian states. Despite a decline in contrasts between countries since 2010, substantial disparities persist. The report indicates that mortality from these illnesses is lower in affluent nations like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but noticeably higher in certain eastern regions.
Upon closer examination, the primary attributable risk factors for NTCDs across the WHO European Region involve:- Tobacco use- Harmful alcohol consumption- Improper diets, often rich in processed foods- Physical inactivity- Exposure to air pollution- Occupational dangers associated with fossil fuels and industrial activities
These risk factors contribute substantially to significant NTCDs like cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory ailments, cancer, diabetes, and mental health issues. In wealthier countries, more efficacious health policies and healthcare infrastructure have enabled early diagnoses, treatments, and management of these diseases. However, these countries struggle with urbanization-related challenges such as sedentary lifestyles and obesity. On the other hand, less affluent countries experience higher exposure to these risk factors due to weaker regulations, resulting in greater commercial interests' influence over public health, insufficient healthcare resources, and a limited capacity for diagnosis and treatment of NTCDs.
In conclusion, addressing the core risk factors of NTCDs requires concerted and coordinated policy action, transparency, regulation, and equity-focused strategies to diminish disparities and make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The commercial determinants, such as the tobacco, alcohol, processed food industries, fossil fuel use, and occupational practices, are responsible for approximately 25% of all deaths in the WHO European Region and nearly 7,500 deaths daily.
- To combat the staggering number of preventable deaths due to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in Europe, it's crucial to focus on promoting health and wellness, fitness and exercise, and proper nutrition, alongside implementing effective health measures and early detection strategies.
- As these medical-conditions often stem from risk factors such as tobacco and harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and exposure to air pollution, it's essential to develop better health policies and regulations that target these risk factors effectively.
- In the pursuit of addressing the core risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NTCDs) and making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, it's important to recognize the significant role the commercial determinants, including the tobacco, alcohol, processed food industries, fossil fuel use, and occupational practices, play in contributing to approximately 25% of all deaths in the WHO European Region and nearly 7,500 daily deaths.
