WHO Publishes Definitive Atlas on Global Heart Disease and Stroke Epidemic

[Guest guest]

I would like to see the relationship of transfats and processed

industrial food intake to disease rates. I bet that would be an eye

opener. F.

 

 

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WHO Publishes Definitive Atlas on Global Heart Disease and Stroke Epidemic

Provided by PR Newswire on 9/24/2004

 

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GENEVA, Sep 24, 2004 /Xinhua-PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Atlas of

Heart Disease and Stroke, graphically detailing a global epidemic that

is the leading single cause of death worldwide, was launched here

today, to coincide with World Heart Day, Sunday 26 September 2004. The

Atlas is expected to provide a powerful advocacy tool to stimulate

vital action and help promote constructive decision-making by

governments, policymakers, national and international organisations,

health professionals, individuals and families everywhere.

 

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040610/CNTH001LOGO )

 

The Atlas is published by the World Health Organization (WHO), in

conjunction with the USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is

strongly supported by NGOs such as the World Heart Federation (WHF).

 

Heart disease and stroke kill some 17 million people a year, which is

almost one-third of all deaths globally. By 2020, heart disease and

stroke will become the leading cause of both death and disability

worldwide, with the number of fatalities projected to increase to over

20 million a year and by 2030 to over 24 million a year.

 

" The old stereotype of cardiovascular diseases affecting only

stressed, overweight middle-aged men in developed countries no longer

applies, " said Dr Robert Beaglehole, WHO Director of Chronic Diseases

and Health Promotion. " Today, men, women and children are at risk and

80% of the burden is in low- and middle-income countries. Heart

disease and stroke not only take lives, but also cause an enormous

economic burden. The Atlas should be a significant new resource for

global advocacy and education activity. "

 

Dr Judith Mackay, co-author of the Atlas with CDC's Dr George Mensah,

said, " No matter what advances there are in high-technology medicine,

the fundamental message is that any major reduction in deaths and

disability from heart disease and stroke will come primarily from

prevention, not just cure. This must involve robust reduction of risk

factors, through encouraging our children to adopt healthy lifestyle

habits and by introducing appropriate policies and intervention

programmes. "

 

For the first time in one publication, the Atlas captures updated data

for each country, which is depicted through colourful maps,

photographs and images and provides risk factor statistics for the

occurrence of high blood pressure, tobacco, physical inactivity,

obesity, lipids and diabetes. The diverse elements of this global

epidemic including risk factors, similarities and differences between

countries, the economic burden, prevention, policies and legislation,

treatment and predictions are chronicled. A world data table is also

published for the first time and gives statistics for each country,

including the number of healthy life years lost to heart disease and

stroke, the prevalence of smoking and the status of policies and

legislation.

 

" While heart disease and stroke are eminently preventable,

decision-makers and government funding agencies are, overall,

neglecting this public health issue, " said Janet Vo-te, CEO, WHF, an

NGO dedicated to the global prevention of heart disease and stroke.

" The WHF strongly endorses the Atlas as a valuable resource for global

advocacy and educational activity to fight the heart disease and

stroke epidemic. We know how to reduce the burden of heart disease and

stroke, but what is needed now is the combination of necessary

resources and political will by each country to take effective action. "

 

The Atlas is being launched to coincide with World Heart Day, which is

a major driving force for encouraging global heart disease and stroke

prevention. The focus this year is Children, Adolescents and Heart

Disease, because children are increasingly adopting unhealthy

lifestyles. Obesity, poor diets, smoking and physical inactivity, the

leading causes of heart disease and stroke, are now being seen at an

alarmingly early age. Around 100 countries will take part in this, the

fifth annual, World Heart Day, with member societies organising

educational activities for everyone to get involved. Thousands of

people around the world will join one of the walks, runs, jump rope or

fitness sessions, have a health check or learn about heart-healthy

lifestyles from the public talks, scientific forums and exhibitions.

 

The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke is available in PDF format at:

http://www.who.int and http://www.worldheart.org .

 

For further information:

 

Dr Shanthi Mendis, WHO, Coordinator, Cardiovascular Diseases,

 

Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO

 

Tel: +41-22-791-3441

 

Email mendiss

 

David Porter, WHO Communications Officer

 

Tel: +41-22-791-3774

 

Mobile: +41-79-477-1740

 

Email: porterd.

 

Judith Mackay, co-author of The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke

 

Tel: +852-2719-1995

 

Mobile: +852-9302-5558

 

Email: jmackay

 

For further information on the World Heart Federation, visit:

http://www.worldheart.org or http://www.cwnewsroom.ch . Contact:

Lauren O'Brien, Tel: +41 22 908 4074. E-mail:

lauren_o'brien.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of

Health and Human Service

 

Located in Atlanta, USA, <<...OLE_Obj...>> the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency

for protecting the health and safety of people at home and abroad,

providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and

promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the

national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and

control, environmental health, health promotion and education

activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United

States.

 

The World Heart Federation

 

The World Heart Federation is a non-governmental organization based in

Geneva and dedicated to the prevention and control of cardiovascular

diseases around the world. The Federation is committed to helping the

global population achieve a longer and better life through prevention

and control of heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on

low and middle-income countries. The World Heart Federation is

comprised of 180 member societies of cardiology and heart foundations

from 100 countries and continental members covering the regions of

Asia-Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Americas and Africa.

 

SOURCE World Health Organization

 

CONTACT: Dr Shanthi Mendis of WHO, +41-22-791-3441, or mendiss

 

Web Sites: http://www.who.int

 

http://www.worldheart.org

 

http://www.cwnewsroom.ch

 

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