While some illnesses are in decline, others are on the rise
Over the last few years the frequency of some diseases have shown a marked decline, in particular diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hypertension. As Kyriopoulos explained: «This has occurred after a good period during which disorders and early mortality caused by these diseases were on the wane. We will measure some years from now the price of the affluence experienced over the last few decades and changes to society, the family structure and the way of life, as diseases in our civilization have a long incubation period.» Already a study by the National School for Public Health to avert (premature or unjustified) mortality has shown that the number of deaths from ischemic cardiovascular disease has increased by 10.8 percent. In 1980, 53.39 deaths were recorded per 100,000 people, with that number increasing to 59.17 deaths in 2003. Mortality has risen more sharply (28.5 percent) in deaths caused by malignant growths. In this category, 26.78 deaths per 100,000 people were recorded in 1980, when the figure was 34.41 deaths for the same number of inhabitants in 2003. «The consequences resulting from changes in lifestyle will be seen in the next few years for all indicators,» Kyriopoulos highlighted, «in particular regarding diseases related to the heart and blood circulation, growths or the metabolic syndrome. Health policy in this respect must be preventative and predictive. Measures should be taken today so that they are effective in 10 to 15 years time.»
