Chronic diseases kill twice the number of people than all infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined.  There are three well-established and well-known causes for most chronic diseases: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Other significant contributors include drug use and abuse, and toxic environmental exposures through air, food, water and everyday products.

Conditions before birth and during childhood affect health during adult life.  Moreover, many believe that chronic diseases affect only older populations, but approximately 16 million chronic disease deaths occur each year, globally, in those under age 70. These deaths occur much earlier in low and middle income countries than in high income countries.  (Source: World Health Organization)

Prevention should always be the focus of any health-care - and parenting - protocol.  Minimizing the exposures that cause disease is much more effective, and less painful, than treating the disease after the fact.  With some knowledge, and a few proactive measures, we can go a long way toward preventing our children from ever falling victim to these health problems.  (Source: Green This! Baby and Child Care by Deirdre Imus)

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