A new World Health Organization report warns that ultra-processed foods, alcohol, tobacco and fossil fuels contribute to killing around 2.7 million people every year across Europe.
According to the report, “more than 7,400 people die every day” in Europe due to “powerful industries” that lead to ill health through harmful products and practices.
Experts said that "powerful industries" lead to ill health and premature death because they interfere with government policies and efforts to reduce the incidence of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The data showed that in Europe every year, there are 1.15 million deaths due to smoking, 426,857 due to alcohol, 117,290 due to diets high in processed meat, and 252,187 due to diets high in salt.
The World Health Organization called for "strict regulation to limit the power of industry." “These commercial products contribute to 24% of total deaths, including major deaths from cardiovascular disease (51.4%) and cancer (46.4%),” the report explained.
Overall, the tobacco, alcohol, food and fuel industries are wholly or partly responsible for 2.7 million deaths annually in Europe, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the global picture shows that tobacco, UV protectants, fossil fuels and alcohol cause 19 million deaths annually, or 34% of total deaths.
The report noted that these numbers do not include deaths caused by obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high blood cholesterol levels, all of which are linked to unhealthy diets.
The report called on governments to acknowledge the tactics used by the ultra-processed foods industry, such as blaming individuals, marketing, spreading misinformation, social media promotion, lobbying and “sabotaging science”, such as funding research that advances its goals.
“The fundamental interest of all big companies is profit,” the WHO said, adding: “No matter what product they sell, their interests are not aligned with public health or the broader public interest. Any policy that could affect their sales and profits therefore poses a threat.” They should play no role in developing that policy.”
The report revealed that, with the exception of tobacco-related regulations, “global efforts to regulate harmful marketing have been disappointing at best.”
He continued: “Although legal measures regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages and unhealthy foods exist in many countries across the WHO European region and around the world, they are often narrow in scope, focused on specific media, settings, or groups.” specific demographics or specific marketing, and therefore does not provide adequate protection.”
It is distressing!
ReplyDelete