Tobacco, high blood pressure, high BMI leading risk factors for disability-adjusted life-years
TUESDAY, March 5 (HealthDay News) -- The United Kingdom has worse health performance than other comparable countries, according to a study published online March 5 in The Lancet.
Christopher J.L. Murray, M.D., from the University of Washington in Seattle, and colleagues analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 to examine U.K health loss patterns in 1990 and 2010 and to compare U.K. patterns with those of the 15 original European Union member states, Australia, Canada, Norway, and the United States (EU15+).
The researchers found that from 1990 to 2010 there was an overall improvement in health with respect to mortality and disability, with life expectancy increasing by 4.2 years in the United Kingdom. However, in 1990, significantly worse performance was seen for the United Kingdom than the EU15+ in age-standardized death rates, age-standardized years of life lost (YLL) rates, and life expectancy; and by 2010, its relative position had deteriorated. From 1990 to 2010, there was an increase in the contribution of Alzheimer's disease, cirrhosis, and drug use disorders to premature mortality. In 2010, the United Kingdom had significantly greater rates of age-standardized YLLs than EU15+ for diseases including ischemic heart disease, other cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, breast and esophageal cancers, and preterm birth complications. Mental and behavioral disorders and musculoskeletal disorders were the major causes of years lived with disability in 2010. Leading risk factors for disability-adjusted life-years included tobacco, increased blood pressure, and elevated body mass index.
"The performance of the United Kingdom in terms of premature mortality is persistently and significantly below the mean of EU15+ and requires additional concerted action," the authors write.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)