Cardiovascular diseases and cancer: the main threats
Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, continue to be the leading causes of death in Europe. According to recent data, they account for approximately one third of all deaths in the region. Factors such as hypertension, smoking and an unhealthy diet contribute significantly to this burden. On the other hand, cancer remains another major concern, with 26 per cent of deaths attributed to this disease. The most common types include lung, colon and breast cancer, many of which are linked to tobacco use and environmental exposure.
The rise of chronic diseases
Beyond these two broad categories, chronic non-communicable diseases dominate the health landscape. In Spain, for example, almost 90% of deaths and illnesses are due to these conditions, including diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases (such as COPD) and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Obesity and overweight, which affect more than half of the adult population in many European countries, aggravate these conditions, while population ageing - with an average life expectancy of 81.5 years in the EU - increases their prevalence.
Mental health: a growing challenge
Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in recent years. Depression and anxiety affect millions of Europeans, with a particular impact on women and young people. In countries such as the UK and Germany, deaths related to mental and behavioural disorders are among the highest. Stress, loneliness and socio-economic pressures, exacerbated by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to this ‘mental health crisis’ which experts describe as multifaceted.
Risk factors: habits of concern
Poor lifestyle habits are a common denominator in these statistics. Smoking, although it has decreased in countries such as Spain (from 23% to 19.8% of daily smokers between 2014 and 2019), remains a key risk factor. Alcohol consumption, especially excessive in nations such as Denmark, and physical inactivity also play an important role. In addition, air pollution and climate change are beginning to be recognised as emerging threats to public health.
Life expectancy: progress on pause?
Although countries such as Spain (84 years) and Italy (83.8 years) boast some of the highest life expectancies in Europe, recent trends show stagnation. Between 2011 and 2019, annual life expectancy growth slowed to just 0.15 years, influenced by the pandemic and the rise in lifestyle-related diseases. This phenomenon suggests that public health gains may be reaching a limit if these risk factors are not addressed with greater urgency.
Towards a healthier future
The statistics paint a mixed picture: Europe has made great improvements in reducing child mortality and access to health services, but faces significant challenges in preventing preventable diseases. Public policies that promote physical activity, a balanced diet and smoking cessation, along with greater attention to mental health, will be key to reversing these trends. In a diverse and ageing continent, the health of European society will depend on how it balances medical advances with changes in the lifestyles of its citizens.
Best regards,
Tribu Naturals
