Nearly 2 million deaths from chronic diseases could be prevented each year through prevention and treatment, says WHO

The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 2 million deaths from non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, are preventable each year with appropriate interventions. These deaths result in losses of around €440 billion annually. 60% of these deaths are linked to behavioral and environmental factors and 40% could be prevented by early diagnosis. Only 10 countries in Europe have reached the target of reducing premature mortality, and 26 others can do so by stepping up prevention efforts.