Top Health issues in Luxembourg

Health is a marathon, You need to keep doing the right things every day. Junk-in, Junk-out is the right way to look at when it comes to health. Even if you do all things right, there are hereditary and extraneous factors that affect your health (so there is a bit of luck to your health lottery). Regardless, focusing on what's in your control, let's take a quick look at common health issues in Luxembourg:

• Heart issues: These are diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension. They are the leading cause of death in Luxembourg, accounting for 31% of all deaths in 2019. They are also a major risk factor for other diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease. Some of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases are smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
• Cancer: This is a group of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth and can spread to other parts of the body. It is the second leading cause of death in Luxembourg, accounting for 26% of all deaths in 2019. The most common types of cancer in Luxembourg are colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Some of the main causes of cancer are smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, exposure to radiation and chemicals, and genetic factors.
• Mental health disorders: These are conditions that affect a person’s mood, thinking, behavior, and ability to cope with everyday life. They include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. They are a major cause of disability and reduced quality of life in Luxembourg. According to a 2017 survey by Eurostat, 8% of the population aged 15 and over reported having chronic depression. Some of the main causes of mental health disorders are stress, trauma, social isolation, genetic factors, and biological factors.
• Respiratory diseases: These are diseases that affect the lungs and airways, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and tuberculosis. They are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Luxembourg. According to a 2019 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), Luxembourg had one of the highest rates of COPD deaths in Europe (38 per 100 000 population). Some of the main causes of respiratory diseases are smoking, air pollution, occupational exposure to dust and chemicals, and infections.
• Diabetes: This is a chronic condition that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it effectively to regulate blood sugar levels. It can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye damage, and amputation. It is a growing health problem in Luxembourg. According to a 2019 report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Luxembourg had an estimated prevalence of diabetes of 6.2% among adults aged 20-79 years. Some of the main causes of diabetes are obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, genetic factors, and aging.

Certainly there are other health issues in Luxembourg. The above list represents common health issues identified in Luxembourg.

Credits to: Euro Health Observatory, MSAN Government Luxembourg, Bing AI