AMMAN —
Health Minister Firas Al-Hawari has called on
Jordanians to embrace healthy lifestyles amidst a concerning annual count of
over 9,000 cancer cases, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures
against this disease.
اضافة اعلان
Hawari made this statement during the launch of a media
campaign by the Ministry of Health on Monday. The campaign aims to raise
awareness about the significance of
adopting healthy lifestyles in Jordan.
With the slogan "Your life is your decision, think
about your choice," the campaign is supported by the EU and Spanish
cooperation.
Spreading health awareness
The campaign builds upon the
Ministry of Health's ongoing
efforts to encourage individuals in society to adopt healthy lifestyles.
It seeks to promote health awareness regarding the
importance of consuming healthy food, engaging in regular physical activity,
and refraining from smoking.
Non-communicable diseases contribute to the majority of
deaths in Jordan
Hawari's initiative comes in response to the concerning
reality that over three-quarters of deaths in Jordan are caused by
non-communicable diseases, as reported by Ammon News.
Highlighting alarming health studies, he referred to a
national survey conducted in 2019, which revealed that 25 percent of
individuals between 40 and 69 years old are at risk of developing
cardiovascular diseases.
The survey also disclosed an 8 percent prevalence of
diabetes among individuals over 18 years old and a rate of approximately 21
percent for the 45–69 age group.
Additionally, 22 percent of the population in this age group
suffers from high blood pressure, with half of them receiving no treatment.
Unhealthy lifestyles identified as major contributing
factors
Hawari explained that the high number of cases and
percentages can be attributed to unhealthy lifestyles, as indicated by the
survey.
The findings included a 41 percent increase in the
prevalence of tobacco smoking (65 percent among men), 9 percent usage of
electronic cigarettes and vape devices, and a 61 percent rise in the prevalence
of obesity and overweight (over 90 percent in women over the age of 45).
These factors are significant risk factors for
non-communicable diseases.
The survey also highlighted other concerning habits among
the population.
Approximately 31 percent of individuals frequently add salt
to their food, despite recommendations from the World Health Organization.
Moreover, the majority of people consume below the
recommended portions of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, around 25 percent
of the population fails to achieve the organization's physical activity
recommendations.
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