Living better often means living longer
We are all acutely aware — especially those of us well entrenched into our advancing years — that it’s not just about life itself but about quality of life.
None of us have control over unforeseen events that can happen to any of us health-wise. Dreadful things can happen regardless of how cautious we are. But there are influences that we can control. For those vigilant in maintaining a healthy way of life — avoiding self-inflicted damages that come from smoking, drinking in excess, abusing drugs and gobbling fatty foods — good news arrived recently via the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
According to a report form that group, the population of the Americas has gained 16 years in life expectancy on average in the last 45 years, and a person who is born in the hemisphere can now aspire to live until age 75, almost five years longer than the world average.
However, emerging and noncommunicable diseases, which cause four out of five deaths per year, are the main challenges in one of the most unequal regions in the world. This information is part of the new Health in the Americas+ 2017 report, the latest edition of the flagship publication prepared by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) every five years since 1956, which analyzes trends, challenges and health conditions in the region.
Noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes, are the leading causes of mortality. The report informs that four out of five deaths per year are due to one of these causes, and that figure is expected to increase in the coming decades due to population growth, aging, urbanization, and exposure to different risk factors.
Which comes — at least in a large part — to the lifestyle of a person’s choosing. Many cardio and respiratory diseases along with cancer and diabetes develop because of poor health choices. For example, we all know smokers are more likely to develop certain cancers and breathing issues than non-smokers. That is indisputable. Same goes for those who eat too much and avoid exercise. And so on. It’s all about connecting the way of life dots. Try walking on a nature trail instead of walking to the refrigerator.
The report states that the obesity rate in the Americas — one of the main risk factors for chronic disease — is double the global average (26.8 percent compared to 12.9 percent). It emphasizes that diabetes affects 15 percent of the population over 18 years of age (62 million people), a percentage that has tripled during the past decade.
Mortality from cardiovascular disease has decreased almost 20 percent on average in one decade. But this continues to be the main cause of death in the region researched. It also warns that 1.3 million people died of cancer in 2012, 45 percent of them prematurely, that is, before 70 years of age.
The report indicates that an estimated 81 percent those born today will live until they are 60 years old, while 42 percent will surpass 80 years of age. However, this increase in life expectancy has not meant more disability-free years of life. In 2015 it was estimated that the average healthy life expectancy in the Americas was 65 years.
It’s not just about life choices, either. Medical and related technological advances on a daily basis help extend life expectancies. In the Salem area we have an array of fine medical services available anchored by the Salem Regional Medical Center.
The PAHO/WHO report provides validation for something we should have all known along: live better and you just might live longer. It’s not hard to figure out.
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