People in Europe face health issues throughout their lives—from infancy to old age.
The region is experiencing a mental health crisis among young people, declining vaccination coverage, and a rise in chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular conditions, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report published on Tuesday.
According to the report, which WHO releases every three years and covers 53 countries in Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, one in six people in the region dies before the age of 70 from non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions.
The main risk factors are smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, air pollution, and lack of physical activity, noted Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Although child mortality rates are generally low, there are significant differences between countries in the region. Each year, 76,000 children under the age of five die, primarily due to preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, congenital heart defects, respiratory infections, and sepsis.
WHO also reports a decline in mental health among children and adolescents:
One in five teenagers suffers from a mental health disorder.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15–29.
15% of teenagers experience cyberbullying.
