Diseases with the highest mortality

Abstract

This chapter introduces us to today’s deadliest diseases: cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as cancer, diabetes, and osteoarthritis. First, the most recently reported death numbers are given here. Subsequently, the main risk factors associated with these conditions are disclosed in detail. Finally, the reader will find an individual section for each disease where the pathology and its treatment are described, among other information of interest. The socioeconomic impact for families and public health systems is detailed later in the text. Finally, this chapter concludes by warning about the importance of a multilateral strategy that aims to reduce the incidence of these diseases.