Head of WHO mission in Azerbaijan: Nearly 600,000 people die from passive smoking annually worldwide

It is believed that the most common ailments of which people are complaining around the world are flu, insomnia and headaches. What do you think about this?

A number of factors lead to incidence of disease: geographic location, level of socio-economic development, education and public awareness, etc.

According to world statistics, diseases of the cardiovascular system, cancer, diabetes and nonspecific lung diseases are most common non-communicable diseases among adult population today.

The relative share of infectious diseases is higher in countries with lower levels of economic development (according to some estimates up to five times compared with developed countries). Respiratory infections, AIDS (HIV / AIDS), tuberculosis (including multiple-drug-resistant forms), malaria, measles are the most common infectious diseases. For example, the average death rates from noncommunicable diseases in developed countries is 87 percent and from infectious diseases – 5.7 percent. It is different in countries with low levels of this proportion - the death rate from noncommunicable diseases is 53.8 percent and 36.4 percent from infectious diseases.

It should also be noted that mortality and disability from trauma is increasing every year around the world. Roughly 9.2 percent of all deaths in the world occur for this reason.

It is said that every country has its own individual diseases, which others do not. How is this possible?

Geographical location can only have a certain influence on the spread of diseases. First of all, it concerns certain infectious diseases. For example, malaria. Currently the disease is most prevalent in the world in countries Sub-Sahara Africa. Only 9 of European countries  have endemic areas for malaria including Azerbaijan. Cases of malaria in the rest of Europe are of "import" in nature.

However, as a result of effective ongoing treatment and prevention activities in Azerbaijan, number of malaria cases dropped to 80 in 2009. Now the program for the complete elimination of this disease in Azerbaijanis is successfully implemented with the support of the Global Fund, WHO and other international organizations.

What are most prevalent diseases in Azerbaijan?

The most prevalent diseases among adults in Azerbaijan, as in other countries in the European region, are noncommunicable chronic diseases and injuries. So, the share of non-communicable diseases in Azerbaijan accounts for about 80 percent of cases. The most common among them are the cardio vascular diseases and nonspecific lung cancer.

How important is practice of annual preventive examinations of the population in such cases?

Detection and treatment of disease at early stages do not only prolong life of a man, but also is effective for the state from an economic point of view as it has impact on quality of life. Today, the resources allocated to health worldwide are mostly focused on expensive health services, and potential for primary prevention and healthy lifestyles that can reduce burden of disease by almost 70 percent are underestimated.

Mental disorders are now also urgent today ...

In recent decades, prevalence of mental disorders has increased significantly depression being the most common. According to statistics, every fourth person on earth at least once in their lives sought psychiatric help.

In addition, according to estimates, by 2020 depression will rank first among other diseases.

What advice would can you give our readers as a doctor?

Unfortunately, not all diseases can be prevented. However, you can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and non-specific respiratory and other diseases. As I mentioned, most citizens of our country suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases have common risk factors. For example, smoking and alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, overweight and high blood pressure.

What specifically can you advise?

WHO recommends all to lead a healthy lifestyle.

First, one should have a health diet. It is recommended to eat more fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils, cereals and legumes.

One needs also lead more active lifestyles. Regardless of age, physical activity plays an important role in health. It is necessary to stimulate the natural balance of the body and restore vital functions.

It is strong recommended to refrain from bad habits such as smoking, and alcohol abuse. I would like to focus on smoking. Smoking is a global problem. Smoking people harm their health and the health of people around them. Every second smoker dies from diseases associated with smoking.

Nearly 600 000 people die from passive smoking annually worldwide. Most people are exposed to passive smoking at home and in public places. Today we see a lot of attention to this problem both around the world and in Azerbaijan.

R. Ashrafli