Traffic and power generation are the main sources of urban air pollution. The idea that
outdoor air pollution can cause exacerbations of pre-existing asthma is supported by an …

With non-communicable conditions accounting for nearly two-thirds of deaths worldwide, the
emergence of chronic diseases as the predominant challenge to global health is …

Background In 2010, overweight and obesity were estimated to cause 3· 4 million deaths, 3·
9% of years of life lost, and 3· 8% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide. The …

Background Liver cirrhosis is a major yet largely preventable and underappreciated cause
of global health loss. Variations in cirrhosis mortality at the country level reflect differences in …

Objective To estimate the global burden of low back pain (LBP). Methods LBP was defined
as pain in the area on the posterior aspect of the body from the lower margin of the twelfth …

Background—The global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. Methods and Results—
We systematically reviewed population-based studies of AF published from 1980 to 2010 …

Background High sodium intake increases blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular
disease, but the effects of sodium intake on global cardiovascular mortality are uncertain …

Background The associations of blood pressure with the different manifestations of incident
cardiovascular disease in a contemporary population have not been compared. In this study …

Background Although stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, no
comprehensive and comparable assessment of incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability …

Importance Tobacco is a leading global disease risk factor. Understanding national trends in
prevalence and consumption is critical for prioritizing action and evaluating tobacco control …