The biggest
threats to health,The so-called ‘big three’ infectious diseases, are still serious health threats. HIV, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), as well as hepatitis and neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis, collectively accounted for 4.3 million deaths in 2016, down from 5.3 million in 2010. The biggest killer varies according to age. The highest risk of death from malaria is among children aged under 5 years. HIV is at its peak during reproductive years, while the risk of dying from TB, hepatitis B, and neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis tends to increase with age.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which include heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, diseases related to air pollution, as well as injuries from violence and road traffic accidents, pose a significant threat to health. NCDs caused 41 million deaths in 2016 – equivalent to 71% of all deaths worldwide.