Simple measures could increase life expectancy by 5-10 years

Simple, cost effective public health measures could lengthen the average human life span by five to 10 years, according to the latest World Health Report, the World Health Organization's annual review of global health. The 2002 report quantifies the leading threats to health by geographical region and recommends measures to cut preventable risks.

Overall the top 10 risk factors—accounting for about 40% of the 56 million deaths in the world each year—are underweight in children and mothers; unsafe sex; poor water, sanitation, and hygiene; indoor smoke from solid fuels; iron deficiency; high blood pressure; tobacco; alcohol; high cholesterol; and obesity. Two other factors are important in the developing world: zinc deficiency and vitamin A deficiency.

While the effects of poor nutrition are mostly limited to the developing world, risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity are increasingly a global problem. The report predicts that, unless action is taken, by the year 2020 tobacco use will cause nine million deaths a year, compared with about five million now, and overweight and obesity five million deaths, compared with three million now. Over the same period the number of healthy life years lost by underweight children will decline only slightly, from 130 million life years to 110 million.

The WHO compares the impact of different risks by measuring disability adjusted life years (DALYs). A DALY is equal to the loss of one healthy year of life. Potential health benefits are measured in terms of healthy life expectancy.

The report divides the world into 14 regions and lists the top 10 risk factors in each area. The authors argue that simple interventions could add about six years' healthy life expectancy in most developed regions and 10-15 years in developing regions. “Globally, we need to achieve a much better balance between preventing disease and merely treating its consequences,” said Christopher Murray, overall director of the World Health Report.

“Although the report carries some ominous warnings, it also opens the door to a healthier future for all countries—if they're prepared to act boldly now.”

Most of the measures proposed by the report are proved approaches, such as taxing tobacco, encouraging safer sex, and fortifying foods with vitamins and minerals. The report implies that it is political will, not knowledge, that is lacking.