The four diseases responsible for majority of human deaths
Researchers say more than half of all UN countries will miss targets on cutting premature deaths from quartet of killers
Seven out of ten deaths worldwide are caused by just four non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a major new study has found.
Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes killed a global total of 12.5 million people aged 30 to 70 in 2016 alone, according to the researchers.
Their report, entitled NCD Countdown 2030, has been published in The Lancet and is a collaboration between the medical journal, the World Health Organization (WHO), Imperial College London and the NCD Alliance.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The findings have been released ahead of next week’s United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs, “which will review national and global progress towards the prevention and control of NCDs”, Health24 reports.
The study shows that more than half of all UN countries are predicted to fail to reach the organisation’s target to reduce premature deaths from the four major NCDs by 2030. Premature death is commonly defined as before the age of 70.
Only 35 will achieve the goal of reducing premature deaths for women, and just 30 will do so for men by 2030, the researchers predict.
The countries expected to achieve the goal for women are: South Korea, Singapore, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, the Czech Republic, the Maldives, Thailand, Croatia, Slovakia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Qatar, Iran, Latvia, Belarus, Serbia, Kuwait, Samoa, Armenia, Macedonia, Oman, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Zambia, the Republic of the Congo, Grenada, Timor-Leste, Moldova and Kazakhstan.
Those on target for cutting premature deaths in men are: Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Bahrain, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Iran, the Maldives, Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Timor-Leste, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Estonia, Macedonia, Latvia, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.
The UK is unlikely to hit the targets for either sex.
The Sustainable Development Goals were signed by all 193 member states of the United Nations in 2015 and are “a blueprint for achieving global well-being”, reports CNN. The plan is divided into 17 aims, including “no poverty”, “zero hunger”, and “quality education” in addition to “good health and well-being”.
“They are aspirations, or commitments, agreed upon by the global community to have better, healthier, more positive lives for everyone, today and in the future,” said Professor Majid Ezzati, senior author of the new report and chair of global environmental health at Imperial College London.
He added: “The bottom line is this: a set of commitments were made, and most countries are not going to meet them.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published