Risky Behaviors Constitute Growing Threats to Global Health | The World Bank

A growing share of the burden of disease across the world is associated with risky behaviors by individuals. Drug use, smoking, alcohol, unhealthy eating causing obesity, and unsafe sex are highly prevalent in low-income countries, even though they are traditionally associated with richer countries.

Understanding the factors driving those behaviors represents a priority not only from a public health perspective but from a broader development one.

This report summarizes the existing evidence about the causes and consequences of those behaviors, as well as about interventions aimed at preventing them from a broad range of sources.