Millions of Deaths Could be Prevented by Risk Factor Reduction.
A new report suggests that reducing six modifiable risk factors to specific target levels could prevent 37 million premature deaths over the next 15 years. Target levels for reducing risk factors include a 30-50% reduction of tobacco use, 10% reduction of alcohol consumption, 30% reduction in salt intake, 25% reduction in high blood pressure, and halting the rise of the obesity and diabetes prevalence. If all the targets are met, there would be a reduction in risk of dying prematurely from cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, cancers, and diabetes by 22% in men and 19% in women.
The Lancet, May 2014