Obesity, lack of exercise, and the consequences fatal in connection with Covid, new study shows.

The Covid-19 pandemic hit a population whose health is already diminished, shows a new international study published in the medical journal The Lancet.

It was revealed that non-communicable, chronic diseases in combination with Covid-19 have been fatal to patients worldwide.

Obesity, high blood sugar, permanent exposure to particulate pollution and lack of exercise are factors to have caused high Covid-19 mortality rates all around the world, editor-in-chief of The Lancet Richard Horton has said.

Facing the challenge of recovery for the global health sector, this study aims to motivate healthcare authorities to find targeted solutions for areas of high demand. 

Authors of the study analysed 286 causes of deaths, 369 diseases and injuries and 87 risk factors spread over 204 regions and countries. According to Christopher Murray who directed the study at the University of Washington in Seattle, the issues are treatable and preventable; paying them attention would prove highly beneficial to economic and social structures. 

Regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the results of the study call for global actions to be taken to tackle the interplay between chronic diseases, deeper social issues and Covid-19 in order to rebuild more robust health care systems that will be better prepared for future pandemics. 

 

Words by: Monika Groening