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by Elaine Murphy
(May 2005) Today, in spite of overall progress, good health eludes billions of people around the world. More than 20 million children worldwide die every year, mostly from preventable diseases and malnutrition. Malaria and tuberculosis remain major afflictions in poor countries; in wealthier countries, obesity contributes to high rates of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. AIDS has reversed gains in child survival and life expectancy in parts of Africa.
Health experts estimate that life expectancy could be increased measurably if health-promoting decisions by individuals, communities, health systems, and governments reduced these and other risks. But this risk reduction will require that public health and other professionals better integrate behavior-change strategies into their programs and policies at every level.