Targeting six risk factors could prevent nearly 40 million deaths from chronic diseases in the next 15 years, a research study has found.

Reducing intake of tobacco, salt and alcohol and lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and obesity to globally agreed levels could avoid more than 37 million premature deaths around the world between 2010 and 2025, a study by Imperial College London published in the Lancet on Saturday (May 3) has claimed.

The study, funded by the UK Medical Research Council, was the first to analyse the impact reducing these risk factors would have on the UN's ‘25x25' target to cut the number of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25 per cent by 2025.

Reducing intake of tobacco, salt and alcohol and lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and obesity could avoid more than 37 million premature deaths, says the study	More on public health Pharmacy an option for child flu vaccinations in DH plan London LPC makes pharmacies first port of call for long-term conditions Welsh pharmacies prepare for national skin cancer campaign
	Hitting agreed global targets for the six risk factors, which included cutting alcohol intake by 10 per cent and salt intake by 30 per cent, would reduce early deaths by 22 per cent in men and 19 per cent in women by 2025, the study's authors found. They predicted that the largest benefits would come from reducing high blood pressure by 25 per cent and smoking rates by 50 per cent.

These reductions would make an "essential contribution" to hitting the UN's target by reversing the trend of rising diabetes deaths and accelerating the fall in the number of cardiovascular and respiratory deaths, said Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London' school of public health.

"Most of the benefits will be seen in low-income and middle-income countries, where as many as 31 million deaths could be prevented," he said.

Professor Rifat Atun, from Harvard University's school of public health, said the UN's target was "well within reach".

"But despite robust evidence, well-proven cost-effective interventions and a compelling case for action made by [this study], political apathy prevails," he added.

	The researchers say that despite compelling evidence, political apathy prevails - so how could health professions unite to convince governments to invest in these services?   We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information