Professor Gregory Roth of the Institute for Health Metrics in Seattle emphasizes that differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases cannot be explained solely by economic inequality. Even accounting for age differences, mortality rates from these diseases remain disproportionately high in developing countries. This highlights the need to develop tailored interventions that take into account local disease patterns.
These findings were compiled as part of a report as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, which has been implemented by the WHO, IHME, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since 1990. To assess changes in the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases, researchers analyzed statistics on 375 cardiac conditions in 204 UN member countries.
The analysis showed that since the beginning of the GBD project, the number of deaths related to cardiovascular diseases has increased from 13.1 million to 19.2 million, now accounting for approximately 30% of all annual deaths globally. Key factors include population aging, rising hypertension in developing countries, and unhealthy diets.
Air pollution also has a significant impact on the development of fatal cardiovascular diseases, directly or indirectly causing approximately 4 million deaths, particularly in Oceania. Lead pollution also plays a significant role in the increase in cardiac disorders in Central Asia and North Africa.
The gap in health damage related to cardiovascular diseases between the most and least prosperous countries is as much as 14 times, and these differences often cannot be explained by economic factors or population age. In this regard, the WHO and other international organizations must develop tailored packages of measures to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in each specific country.
Earlier, an oncologist explained the impact of chronic stress on cancer development.