Morning Briefing

The WHO on Wednesday released its World Health Statistics 2012 report, which "for the first time includes a look at blood pressure and glucose levels, two of the risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease," according to the Associated Press/Washington Post (5/16). The "data showed one in three adults worldwide has raised blood pressure -- the cause of around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease -- and the condition affects almost half the adult population in some countries in Africa," Reuters writes (Kelland, 5/16). "One in 10 people are estimated to have diabetes, rising to up to one third in Pacific Island countries," Agence France-Presse notes (5/16). According to Reuters, "Obesity is another major issue, the WHO said, with data showing rates of obesity doubling in every region of the world between 1980 and 2008" (5/16). "This report is further evidence of the dramatic increase in the conditions that trigger heart disease and other chronic illnesses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said, the news agency reports (5/16).