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The Changing Face of Death and Disease
One hundred years ago, the most common cause of death and disease - pneumonia, influenza, and tuberculosis - were contracted by infection.
Because of vaccines and antibiotics that have been developed through modern medicine, these and similar diseases, such as smallpox and polio, are typically no longer life-threatening.
Today the most common forms of death - cardiovascular disease and cancer - are lifestyle and age-related diseases.
In part we fall prey to cardiovascular disease, cancer and strokes because we are living longer.
Heredity (which we obviously can't control) certainly plays a part in whether we develop these diseases.
There is little doubt, however, that how we live will contribute to the overall quality and quantity of our years. We can influence our health and reduce the likelihood for developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke and other potentially lethal diseases.
In terms of behaviours that contribute to ill health, the highest contributors to disease and death in the population is tobacco use followed by physical inactivity.
In these, Australian physical inactivity ranks first as the leading contributor to preventable illnesses and death among women, given their lower tobacco usage rates than men.
Consequently, physical inactivity is very important from the perspective of general health and wellbeing. We cannot control our genetic pre-disposition to certain diseases, but we can modify our behaviour to prevent, or delay the onset of many life, and lifestyle-threatening illnesses.
We are therefore, influenced by our own health. By stopping smoking and starting a physically active lifestyle, we increase our chances of leading a longer, healthier life. Take the first step to a longer, healthier life, put down the paper and go for a 10 minutes walk. Right now.
Article by Professor Kerry Mummery
Central Queensland University
