Speaking Of: : World Health
Got the sniffles or flu? Let’s put this in perspective: More than 2 billion of the world’s 5.6 billion people are sick at any one time, says the World Health Organization. In its first annual survey of global health, WHO finds more sobering news. It reports that infectious and parasitic diseases claim the most lives, followed by circulatory diseases. But that’s only part of the story. There are wide disparities in life expectancy between rich and poor nations, leading WHO to conclude that “poverty is the world’s deadliest disease.”
Main causes of death worldwide (1993)
Diseases of the circulatory system: 19%
Malignant tumors: 12%
Accidents and violence: 8%
Perinatal and neonatal causes: 6%
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 6%
Abortion and pregnancy problems: 1%
Other or unknown causes: 16%
Infectious and parasitic diseases: 32%
Life expectancy among rich and poor
In impoverished regions, babies are not vaccinated, drugs and other treatments are often unavailable, clean water and sanitation are scarce and more women die in childbirth. The result is a shortened life span. 1993
Country (GNP per capita in $ U.S.)
Japan ($28,190)
France ($22,260)
Britain ($17,790)
United States ($23,240)
Sri Lanka ($540)
China ($470)
South Korea ($6,790)
Thailand ($1,840)
Algeria ($1,840)
Nicaragua ($340)
Kenya ($310)
Gabon ($4,450)
Bhutan ($180)
Uganda ($170)
Health facts
There is cause for optimism as well as concern in the state of the world’s health. Some facts from WHO:
* Vaccinations: Eight out of 10 children in the world have been vaccinated against diphtheria, measles, neonatal tetanus, whooping cough and tuberculosis.
* Infant Mortality: Globally, infant mortality has fallen by 25% since 1980. Still, as many as 320 out of every 1,000 babies do not reach their fifth birthday in some parts of the developing world--compared to only 6 per 1,000 in some of the most developed countries.
* The Developing World: Ninety-nine percent of deaths from communicable diseases, pregnancy problems and perinatal and neonatal causes--near birth or early infancy--occur in the developing world.
* HIV: About 6,000 people each day become infected with the AIDS virus. As many as 60% of such infections in females are believe to occur by age 20.
* Pregnancy: In adolescence carries heavy risks. Mothers 15 to 19 years old die at double the rate of those 20 to 24 years old.
* Smoking: It kills six people per minute, or about 3 million per year. One smoker in two will eventually die because of a cigarette habit begun in adolescence.
* Mental Problems: Mood disorders such as chronic and manic depression, affecting 200 million people, constitute the No. 1 cause of disability. Another 500 million people suffer from neurotic, stress-related and other mental disorders.
* Life expectancy: Worldwide, average life expectancy at birth has increased by more than four years to about 65 years since 1980. SOURCE: The World Health Report, 1995--Bridging the Gaps.
