Sick Humanity A majority of people are sick

95 percent of people have health problems
Much of the world's people are not healthy, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The international research team of more than 1,000 experts from more than 100 countries has published its analysis of the health status of humanity in the journal "The Lancet" sobering conclusion drawn. 95 percent of people worldwide complain of at least one infirmity, many even have several complaints at the same time, reports the news agency "APA" of the current study results.

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study calculates the amount of acute and chronic diseases as well as injuries for the period of 1990 and 2013 in 188 countries worldwide. A total of 35,620 different data sources were evaluated to extrapolate the prevalence of 301 diseases and injuries as well as 2,337 sequelae, the researchers report. It has been shown that diseases and injuries are widespread and only a small proportion of people do not suffer from complications. According to the researchers, the worst symptoms have remained largely the same over the past 23 years, with back pain and depression playing a major role in almost all countries of the world. The GBD study measures the adverse effects of the respective complaints on the basis of so-called YDL ("Years Lived with Disability").

Much of the world's people have at least a health problem. (Picture: Dreaming Andy / fotolia.com)

Comprehensive study on global health
According to the researchers, the GBD study is the largest and most comprehensive health complaints survey in the world, with data updated on a regular basis to identify potential trends or developments. For example, in the 2013 GBD study, the scientists found a significant increase in the acute sequelae of infectious diseases and short-term injuries. In each case significantly more than two billion cases occurred in the upper respiratory tract infections and diarrheal diseases, but also in the tension headache in 2013. Twelve other complaints would have included case numbers ranging from 100 million to 1 billion, including acute otitis media, tooth decay toothache, bacterial skin disease, clinical consequences of malaria, chlamydial infections, herpes virus infections (including chickenpox and herpes zoster) and acute hepatitis B and acute hepatitis A.

Back pain is the most common condition
The reported complaints from ten million to 100 million people in 2013 included various injuries and intoxications, as well as infections in the form of urinary tract infections, typhoid fever, hepatitis C and E, dengue fever, gonorrhea, genital herpes, trichomoniasis and digestive system diseases, including Gastritis and duodenitis, gastric ulcers, pancreatitis and appendicitis. Back pain was still responsible for most YLD. Overall, researchers noted an increase in YLD for both sexes from around 538 million in 1990 to 765 million in 2013, mainly due to population growth and population aging in the modern industrialized nations.

Regional differences in complaints
The researchers also found significant regional differences in the symptoms in their current study, which is mainly associated with living conditions in each country. In the industrialized nations, for example, complaints of the musculoskeletal system such as neck pain or low back pain are increasing and the population is suffering from chronic bronchitis relatively frequently, reports APA. In addition, many people in industrialized countries have to deal with impairments due to falls and there is an increase in mental health problems in the form of depression. Furthermore, for example, migraine, diabetes and Alzheimer's are relatively widespread. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, completely different problems play a significant role. For example, the population here is increasingly suffering from the spread of HIV / AIDS and many people are experiencing health problems as a result of previous civil war years.

In their latest study, the scientists also announce a positive message, as they conclude that the proportion of disability-free life years in life as a whole has increased from an average of 21 percent in 1990 to 31 percent in 2013. Accordingly, people today enjoy a longer life without complaints than they did 23 years ago. (Fp)