According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, heart diseases were the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 17.9 million deaths (32.2%). Unintentional injuries were the fifth leading cause of death, accounting for 4.9 million deaths (9.1%).
Here is a table showing the top 10 causes of death in the world in 2020:
Cause of death | Number of deaths (millions) |
---|---|
Heart diseases | 17.9 |
Stroke | 6.8 |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases | 4.1 |
Lower respiratory infections | 4.0 |
Neonatal conditions | 2.9 |
Trachea, bronchus, lung cancers | 2.2 |
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias | 2.0 |
Diabetes mellitus | 1.5 |
Road injuries | 1.3 |
Unintentional falls | 0.8 |
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As you can see, heart diseases are a much more common cause of death than accidents. However, accidents are a leading cause of death among young people.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of death from heart disease and accidents. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
- Wearing a seatbelt and avoiding distracted driving
- Being aware of the risks of falls and taking steps to prevent them
By taking these steps, we can help to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease and accidents and improve the health of people around the world.