WHO Identifies Top 10 Global Health Threats for 2019

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified ten critical threats demanding international attention in 2019. These encompass air pollution and climate change, which contribute to millions of premature deaths annually.

According to the WHO, nine out of ten people worldwide breathe polluted air daily, with air pollution representing the greatest environmental risk to health, causing seven million premature deaths each year. The primary driver of air pollution, the burning of fossil fuels, also exacerbates climate change, which is projected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.

Noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, account for over 70% of all deaths globally. These conditions are fueled by risk factors including tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets. The WHO is working with governments to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.

Furthermore, the WHO warns of an impending influenza pandemic, the timing and severity of which remain unknown. The organization continuously monitors influenza virus circulation and maintains partnerships to ensure effective and equitable access to vaccines and treatments, particularly in developing countries.

Other listed threats include health challenges in fragile and vulnerable settings, the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and diphtheria, the rise of antimicrobial resistance, mental health issues, food and water security, and humanitarian crises.