America.gov-Global Health:Disease & Disability

Tobacco Use a Deadly Choice for Millions Worldwide

Erika Gebel — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:13:44 GMT

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates are dedicating $500 million for programs in developing countries to break the habit of tobacco use. Worldwide more than a billion people smoke, and in 2008 smoking will kill more than 5 million -- more than will die from AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.

Heart Disease a Leading Cause of Death Worldwide

Erika Gebel — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:35:56 GMT

Despite dramatic medical advances over the past 50 years, heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally and the Number 1 cause of death in the United States. In research projects around the world, scientists are working to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Obesity Becoming Worldwide Health Threat

Erika Gebel — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:57:55 GMT

One of the world’s fastest growing health threats is not a virus or a bacterium. Even though it is not contagious, it is spreading rapidly from its well-established base in the developed world into developing nations. Find out more about the problem of obesity.

Cancer Deaths Declining in Developed Countries

Erika Gebel — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:57:14 GMT

The Number 1 cause of human deaths worldwide is cancer. But new research is under way on the molecular basis of cancer and in areas such as nanotechnology that offer hope in the battle against the more than 100 different kinds of cancers.

Global Causes of Death Move from Infectious to Chronic Diseases

Erika Gebel — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:14:59 GMT

Globally, causes of death will shift from infections like AIDS and malaria to chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer, a new World Health Organization report finds. “It’s reflecting an improvement in health,” WHO’s Dr. Colin Mathers says. “We’re living longer … [so more] deaths are from the diseases that affect very old people.

Diabetes Threatens Lives Worldwide

Erika Gebel — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:22:20 GMT

Without effective countermeasures, one chronic disease is projected to cause 50 percent more deaths in 2015 than it did in 2006 -- 80 percent more in affluent nations, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Diabetes, which WHO estimates causes some 5 percent of all deaths globally each year, affects 246 million people worldwide.

Breast Cancer a Health Risk for Women Worldwide

Erika Gebel — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:45:59 GMT

U.S. first lady Laura Bush, during a five-day tour of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, encourages women to undergo early screening for breast cancer and announces collaborations on testing and treatment programs. “Breast cancer does not respect national boundaries, which is why people from every country must share their knowledge, resources and experience to protect women from this disease,” she says. While showcasing public-private cooperation in breast cancer outreach, she also meets with women political leaders and attends a scholarship event.

U.S., Middle Eastern Experts Join in Fighting Breast Cancer

Erika Gebel — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:44:59 GMT

When Kendra Woods asked 25 colleagues at America’s leading cancer treatment center to serve as advisers for a program to fight breast cancer in the Middle East, all agreed -- plus another person who heard about it. Woods oversees international collaborations at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, part of the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. The center is working with the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, to develop research projects, training, exchanges and other programs to improve health care for Middle Eastern women.