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If you were ever skeptical about other countries suffering from the same kinds of health problems America does, the numbers released today by the World Heart Federation should indeed be a reality check.
The most striking factoid of all: The federation blamed governments for the spread of cardiovascular disease that kills an estimated 17 MILLION annually -- a third of all the deaths in the world. That's right... That's why the federation has urged world governments to place children at the forefront forefront of any efforts to prevent heart disease.
As you're thinking about your next meal, chew on these numbers and watch your appetite quickly subside, as mine did:
- Russia and central and east European countries have the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease.
- India had the largest single number of deaths due to heart trouble (1.5 million) in 2002.
- Eighteen million children under five are overweight.
- Fourteen percent of 13 and 15 year-olds around the world are thought to be smoking.
Yahoo News September 23, 2004