According to a Harvard University study of 2005 data, tobacco smoking ranked as the highest risk factor with 436,000 to 500,000 attributed preventable deaths, followed by high blood pressure (372,000 to 414,000), obesity (188,000 to 237,000), physical inactivity (164,000 to 222,000), high blood glucose (163,000 to 217,000), high LDL cholesterol (94,000 to 124,000) and high salt intake (97,000 to 107,000).
The other risk factors were alcohol use; low polyunsaturated fatty acids; low fruits and vegetables intake and alcohol use.
The study, jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the Association of Schools of Public Health, drew on 2005 data from the US National Health Center for Health Statistics.
Source: Public Library of Science Medicine Journal
Vol. 6, April, 2009
Preventable deaths are caused by lifestyle choices. At Down to Earth we propound the living of a "down to earth" lifestyle, the following of a vegetarian plant based diet comprised of organic and natural foods, drinking fresh, clean water, breathing fresh, clean air, getting regular exercise, and avoiding intoxicants. Following such a lifestyle will help avoid preventable (premature) death and will result in a higher quality of life.
Mark Fergusson