GENEVA, Switzerland, May 23, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Chronic conditions such
as heart disease and stroke are the chief causes of death globally, a study by
World Health Organization in Geneva reported.
The report, issued Friday, shows a trend indicating leading infectious diseases
-- diarrhea, HIV, tuberculosis, neonatal infections and malaria -- will become
less important causes of death worldwide during the next 20 years, the WHO said
in a news release.
"World Health Statistics 2008" is based on data collected from WHO's 193
members.
"We are definitely seeing a trend towards fewer people dying of infectious
diseases across the world," said Ties Boerma, WHO Department of Health
Statistics and Informatics director. "We tend to associate developing countries
with infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. But in
more and more countries, the chief causes of death are non-communicable
diseases, such as heart disease and stroke."
The report also documented of mortality rates in children and adults, patterns
of morbidity, prevalence of risk factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol,
and the use and availability of healthcare services, workers and financing.
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International