Cardiovascular Diseases: Leading World Cause of Death

Geneva, Jul 24 (Prensa Latina) Cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of death throughout the world, followed by cancer, infections and accidents, said the most recent report of World Health Organization (WHO).

According to WHO statistics, 17 million people died due to cardiovascular conditions, 3 out of 10 fatalities, particularly caused by heart attacks.

Malignant tumors also showed an increase, from 2000 to 2011 the number of lung cancer victims went from 1.2 million people to 1.5 million people, as well as diabetes, which increased from 1.0 million people to 1.4 million people and affects 10 percent of the global population, said WHO.

Road accidents left 3,500 fatalities each day of 2011 while HIV, despite being the sixth cause of death, declined its death toll.

The study also highlighted that every year 7 million of children, aged less than 5 years old, died due to avoidable causes (such as infections and incorrect assistance during labor) and 800 women died for complications during pregnancy and delivery.

WHO reports that tuberculosis is not longer included in the top 10 death causes and that life expectancy for a child born in 2011 is near 70 years old, depending on the birthplace (it may range between 60 and 80 years old).