10 facts on the state of global health (WHO)

Life expectancy at birth has increased globally by ____ years since 1990.

• 8

• 4

• 2

• 6

Answer explanation

A baby born in 2012 could expect to live to 70 years on average-->62 years in low income countries to 79 years in high income countries.

Around ____ million children under the age of 5 die each year.

• 4.4

• 5.5

• 6.6

• 7.7

Answer explanation

Almost ALL of these children's lives could be saved if they had access to simple and affordable interventions like exclusive breastfeeding, inexpensive vaccines and medication, clean water and sanitation.

Preterm (premature) birth is the leading killer of newborn babies worldwide.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Every year, 15 million babies (about 1 in 10) are born preterm (born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Preterm birth complications cause more than one million deaths each year.

More than 3/4 of these babies lives could be saved with simple and cost-effective care.

(a)   diseases are the leading causes of death in the world.

Answer explanation

Around 3 in 10 deaths globally are caused by cardiovascular diseases - diseases of the heart and blood vessels that can cause heart attack and stroke.

At least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented through a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding the use of tobacco.

Most HIV/AIDS deaths occur in (a)   .

Answer explanation

Globally, the number of people dying from AIDS-related causes is steadily decreasing from a peak of 2.3 million deaths in 2005 to an estimate of 1.6 million in 2012.

HIV testing and counselling uptake has improved and access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has increased.

HOWEVER, many poeple living with HIV in low and middle-income countries still do not know their HIV status.

Everyday, about ___ women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

• 200

• 500

• 800

• 950

Answer explanation

Maternal mortality is a health indicator that shows very wide gaps between rich and poor, both between countries and within them.

The WHO works to improve maternal health by assisting countries to improve care before, during and after childbirth.

Mental health disorders such as depression are among the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Depression affects around 300 million people worldwide and this number is projected to increase.

Fewer than half of these people affected have access to adequate treatment and healthcare.

Tobacco kills nearly _ million people each year.

• 2

• 6

• 13

• 20

Answer explanation

More than 5 million of deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600 000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

This annual death toll could rise to more than 8 million by 2030 unless urgent action is taken.

Almost (a)   in 10 adults in the world has diabetes (elevated fasting blood glucose of >126mg/dl)

Answer explanation

Almost 10% of the world's adult population has diabetes. People with diabetes have increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Deaths due to diabetes have been increasing since 2000, reaching 1.5 million deaths in 2012.

Nearly ____ people die from road traffic crashes everyday.

• 1500

• 2500

• 3500

• 4500

Answer explanation

Road traffic injuries are projected to rise as vehicle ownership increases due to economic growth in developing countries.

Strong action is needed to improve road use policies and road safety laws to avert this rise in injuries and death.