Reduce salt and cigarettes to save 14 million lives

In the next decade, 14 million people will be saved by reducing salt and not smoking. King's Fund, a charity in the UK, has made this forecast based on research in 23 countries, including Vietnam.

The number of people who die every year due to dangerous diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, will be reduced by 14 million in the next decade if limiting the use of salt in eating and strengthening anti-smoking measures.

In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target to reduce 2% of annual deaths from chronic diseases during the period 2005-2015. These are non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. , diabetes . To help WHO achieve that goal, experts at King's Fund, a charity in the UK, have studied the link between reducing mortality and smoking curbing. and cut salt intake by 15%.

Each year, 5.5 million deaths will be prevented if higher taxes on tobacco products and promotion of anti-smoking campaigns.(Photo: redlightnaps.wordpress.com)

This study was conducted for 23 countries considered to account for 80% of the burden of chronic diseases worldwide. Among these countries are the US, Russia, India, Ethiopia, Burna, Nigeria and Vietnam.

According to the research team, if everyone uses only 3 - 4.5 grams of salt in their daily diet - 30% less than the current average - by 2015, the number of deaths every year worldwide gender will be reduced to 8.5 million.

Perviz Asaria, the leader of the research team, said: 'In countries with high consumption of salt, people's blood pressure will increase significantly as they get older. In contrast, in tribal societies - where salt is not enough to be used or used in food - the blood pressure of older people tends to be the same as when they are in their 20s.

Scientists have long claimed that high blood pressure is one of the main causes of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the authors of this study recommend that people eat sauces with low salt levels, avoid salty foods and use less salt in marinated food.

Research results also show that about 5.5 million deaths will be prevented each year if governments levy higher taxes on tobacco products, and further promote anti-smoking campaigns. at work as well as in public places.

Experts also called for strengthening the implementation of the WHO Tobacco Control Framework Convention.

The results of this study have just been published in the British medical journal The Lancet.

Quang Thinh