Breast-feeding influences on later life - Cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease represents a major challenge to public health globally. While there is now a clear downward trend in mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in many Western high income countries, 1-2 it is projected that in many other parts of the world mortality will increase steeply in the next 20 years. In an authoritative review, Yusuf et al have estimated that by 2020 the annual number of deaths worldwide from CHD will be double the level seen in 1990.3 These increases will affect low as well as middle income countries. In part the trend is a consequence of population aging. However, it is believed that, in many areas of the world, the increase in cardiovascular disease is also being driven by profound shifts in behaviour and diet. These changes are occurring as part of a process that includes the wide-spread migration of people from rural areas to cities, which is happening in almost all low and middle income countries. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.