Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases kill twice the number of people than all infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined. There are three well-established and well-known causes for most chronic diseases: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Other significant contributors include drug use and abuse, and toxic environmental exposures through air, food, water and everyday products.
Chronic diseases: As of 2012, about half of all adults—117 million people—have one or more chronic health conditions. One of four adults has two or more chronic health conditions. Chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths. Out of the 35 million people who died from chronic disease in 2005, half were under 70 and half were women. This invisible epidemic is an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinders the economic development of many countries. Contrary to common perception, 80% of chronic disease deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Chronic diseases kill twice the number of people than all infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined. There are three well-established and well-known causes for most chronic diseases: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Conditions before birth and during childhood affect health during adult life. (CDC)
Prevention should always be the focus of any health-care - and parenting - protocol. Minimizing the exposures that cause disease is much more effective, and less painful, than treating the disease after the fact. With some knowledge, and a few proactive measures, we can go a long way toward preventing our children from ever falling victim to these health problems. (Source: Green This! Baby and Child Care by Deirdre Imus)
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Last updated 06-20-2019