Raising Life Expectancy

"Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier."
–Susan Rabin and Barbara Lagowski

RAISING LIFE EXPECTANCY

In a new report, "Healthy Years", the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of the world's 56 million deaths last year were caused by such preventable risks as unsafe sex, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, indoor smoke from solid fuels, poor sanitation, iron deficiency and child malnutrition (The Economist, November 2, 2002). Hardest hit are the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. According to WHO, reducing these risks could add, on average, five years of good health to people in rich countries, and more than a decade to people in the developing world.