What are premature deaths?

Premature death refers to a death occurring before a person reaches a particular age, typically before the average life expectancy for their population or demographic group. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines premature death as a death occurring before the age of 70.

Premature deaths can result from various causes, including:

1. Non-communicable diseases: Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (COPD and asthma), and diabetes are leading causes of premature deaths globally.

2. Communicable diseases: Infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and diarrhea contribute to premature mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings.

3. Unintentional injuries: Accidents, such as road traffic crashes, drowning, falls, burns, and poisoning, can lead to premature deaths.

4. Violence and interpersonal injuries: Homicide, suicide, and other forms of intentional harm can cause premature deaths.

5. Maternal and child health conditions: Complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as childhood diseases and malnutrition, can lead to premature deaths.

6. Environmental factors: Air pollution, water contamination, exposure to harmful chemicals, and climate-related disasters can contribute to premature mortality.

7. Behavioral and lifestyle factors: Factors like tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity can increase the risk of premature deaths from chronic diseases.

Addressing premature deaths requires comprehensive interventions and policies aimed at prevention, early detection, and effective management of the underlying risk factors and causes.