We’re living longer, but sicker: Study finds life expectancy rising but so is disability [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

We’re living longer, but sicker: Study finds life expectancy rising but so is disability
Article by: MARIA CHENG , Associated Press
Updated: December 13, 2012 - 11:45 AM

LONDON - Nearly everywhere around the world, people are living longer and fewer children are dying. But increasingly, people are grappling with the diseases and disabilities of modern life, according to the most expansive global look so far at life expectancy and the biggest health threats.

The last comprehensive study was in 1990 and the top health problem then was the death of children under 5 — more than 10 million each year. Since then, campaigns to vaccinate kids against diseases like polio and measles have reduced the number of children dying to about 7 million.

Malnutrition was once the main health threat for children. Now, everywhere except Africa, they are much more likely to overeat than to starve.

With more children surviving, chronic illnesses and disabilities that strike later in life are taking a bigger toll, the research said. High blood pressure has become the leading health risk worldwide, followed by smoking and alcohol.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/13/senate-pressure-cia-interrogation-torture