[OC] Estimated Global Deaths Linked to Major Harmful Habits

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Total deaths: approximately 20.7 - 22.7 million per year.

The choices we make every day could massively affect our health and longevity; whether we smoke or drink, and how active we are, all have a big impact on our health. Even small habits, like choosing what to eat or going for a short walk, can make a real difference over time.

In the research, there are four lifestyles that can have a big influence on our state of health: these are poor diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity. They all contribute to millions of deaths every year worldwide, so even a small change in any one of these areas can have a noticeable effect on both life expectancy and quality of life (WHO, 2024)

Poor diet - this is the leading risk responsible for 8 million deaths per year globally (Afshin et al, 2019). A diet heavy in processed foods, sugar, and bad fats, and low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can increase the likelihood of serious health problems, including diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Eating more whole foods and avoiding bad fats and sugary drinks can make a real difference to overall health.

Smoking and tobacco use - this accounts for approximately 7.36 million deaths annually (WHO, 2025). Tobacco harms nearly every part of the body, including major organs like the lungs and heart. Quitting smoking is important to lower the risk of disease and can add years to your life (WHO, 2025).

Physical inactivity - estimated to cause roughly 3.2 - 5 million deaths worldwide (WHO, 2024). . When we move regularly, we strengthen our heart, muscles, and bones, and can avoid obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Regular short walks or other light movements may seem minor, but over time they can make a meaningful difference for your health.

Alcohol consumption - contributes to around 2.3 million deaths per year (WHO, 2024). Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage, some types of cancer, accidents, and heart-related issues (WHO, 2024). Reducing alcohol or avoiding it altogether protects the body and lowers the chances of these issues.

References: Afshin, A., et al. (2019). Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990-2017. The Lancet, 393(10184), 1958-1972. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30041-8

GBD 2023 Tobacco Collaborators. (2023). Morbidity and mortality attributable to tobacco exposure. Tobacco Induced Diseases. https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Morbidity-and-mortality-attributable-to-tobacco-exposure-an-analysis-from-the-Global%2C206601%2C0%2C2.html

World Health Organization. (2024). Comprehensive overview: Noncommunicable disease risks. Geneva: WHO. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/2024-comprehensive-overview-that-complements-report-by-the-dg-to-eb-web-version.pdf

World Health Organization. (2024). Global status report on alcohol. https://movendi.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/9789240686458_eng.pdf

World Health Organization. (2024). Physical activity and health. https://www.emro.who.int/health-education/physical-activity/background.html

World Health Organization. (2025). Tobacco. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco

© 2025 Mariah (OC)