Everyone wants to live a life but not many are
ready to work to make it happen. These are
certain things you can do to prolong your life.
With so many of the deaths each year from
around the world directly related to poor health
choices we make, world health leaders have
set a goal of lowering the number of
preventable deaths by 25% from 2010 rates by
2025. That would save 37 million lives over 15
years.
Reporting in the journal, ‘Lancet’, public health
experts note that the way to prevent those
deaths aren’t surprising. But acting on those
strategies will take individual and political will.
Here’s how the experts hope to do it.
1. Not smoking
The UN General Assembly set a target of
cutting smoking around the world by 30% by
2025. Already, higher-income nations that
have adopted smoking bans in public places
and instituted tobacco taxes have seen drops
in smoking rates, although residents in lower
income nations continue to light up at high
rates.
2. Limiting excessive drinking
While moderate amounts of alcohol have been
linked to some health benefits, overindulging
can increase the risk of certain cancers and
liver disease, as well as contribute to high
blood pressure. Educating people about the
risks of excessive drinking, as well as
instituting taxes on alcoholic products have
been somewhat successful in curbing abuse.
3. Cutting back on salt
High sodium diets can increase blood pressure
and contribute to heart disease and stroke,
and in many developed countries, people eat
several times the amount the salt their bodies
need. In the U.S., the average American
consumes about 800mg more salt every day
than health experts consider acceptable.
Promoting alternatives, such as the citric acid
in lemons, to satisfy the need for salt, can help
to bring sodium consumption down.
4. Getting blood pressure under control
Lack of exercise and high sodium diets
contribute to hypertension, and uncontrolled
high blood pressure can lead to stroke and
heart disease. Monitoring blood pressure with
regular screenings, and treating elevated levels
with changes in diet and exercise, or
medications if necessary, are the most
effective ways to address this risk factor.
5. Address diabetes
Closely tied to the obesity epidemic that now
affects developing as well as developed
nations, diabetes can increase the risk of heart
disease, kidney disease and other conditions
that can shorten life. Studies show that
lifestyle changes incorporating healthy diets
low in sugar and physical activity can be as
effective as medications in keeping blood
sugar levels in check.
6. Reducing obesity
The global growth in girth is tied to a number
of factors, from the proliferation of processed
and high calorie foods, to the shift toward
sedentary lifestyles. Addressing obesity alone
could also have beneficial effects in lowering
other chronic conditions such as heart disease,
diabetes and hypertension.
Public health campaigns highlighting the high
calorie content of fast and processed foods,
and programs that provide access to fresh
fruits and vegetables, including in schools,
could be important steps in turning the tide of
the global obesity epidemic.
