Global Chronic Diseases

Derek Yach, Stephen R. Leeder, John Bell, Barry Kistnasamy
Chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disease, account for more than 50% of all deaths worldwide. Tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity are among the major risk factors contributing to this disease burden. Yet even as the harmful impact of these diseases on health and economies strengthens and spreads globally, there is still only limited public health, financial, and political support for programs aimed at their prevention.
One reason for this neglect has been the belief by governments and philanthropists that chronic diseases are afflictions of affluent populations who have led a life of sloth. In reality, these diseases are now global problems that have been driven by profound changes in consumption patterns.
Ubiquitous marketing of tobacco and unhealthy food introduces children to (and in the case of tobacco, addicts them to) lifestyles that greatly elevate their disease risk. Rapid changes in transport, work, and leisure activities have led to a global collapse in physical activity levels. Overall, unhealthy choices have become the easy choices.....
One of the authors (Stephen Leeder) coordinates an international research on Economic Impact of CVD in Developing Countries, where Mario Maranhao, Maria Ines Reinert Azambuja and AA, are working on the segment of Brazil.