The Real Culprits of Human Deaths: Who Are They? How Negative News Impacts Health
When we consider the most common and fatal diseases, we often label them as the principal "killers of humanity." But do we truly understand the reasons behind their rapid spread? Over the past two decades, cardiovascular diseases have remained the leading cause of death worldwide, consistently topping mortality statistics. Yet, these diseases have never claimed as many lives as they do today.
The Primary Culprit
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the leading global cause of death for the past twenty years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 697,000 people in the United States died from cardiovascular diseases in 2020, representing one in four deaths. In Europe, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) reports that cardiovascular diseases cause over 4 million deaths annually, accounting for nearly half of all deaths on the continent. In Russia, Rosstat data shows that cardiovascular diseases were responsible for over 45% of deaths in 2021. Similarly, in Slovakia, the Public Health Authority (ÚVZ) reported a record high in mortality in 2021, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for 38.6% of all deaths.
Stress as a Key Factor
Why, despite medical advances and technological innovations, does this issue not only persist but worsen? What is the primary cause? While many risk factors are cited, today we focus on the main one: frequent or chronic stress. Stress is fear—fear for one's life and safety and that of loved ones. We live in a society where fear is an integral part of our daily lives, fueled by socio-economic and geopolitical conditions. But who creates these conditions and how? Today, we will explore some lesser-known causes that provoke and maintain a high level of constant anxiety and fear in each of us.
The Impact of Negative News
A team of researchers from the psychology and behavioral science departments and the medicine and public health program at the University of California, Irvine, led by Alison Holman, collected data on the mental state of approximately 5,000 Americans. The data collection was completed just before the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013. On that day, two homemade bombs exploded while hundreds of runners were crossing the finish line. Three people, including an 8-year-old child, were killed, and hundreds were injured, with 16 people losing limbs.
The Role of the Media
The world was in mourning as the media covered the event with gruesome details for days, weeks, and even years, including subsequent legal proceedings. Images of the explosion, smoke, and the terrified faces of spectators were repeatedly shown on television, while newspapers published horrifying photos of blood-stained sidewalks and victims in torn clothing. Researchers assessed how the mental state of survey participants changed after the Boston tragedy. It was no surprise that the mental health of those who were present at the scene or were directly affected did not improve. However, an unexpected finding was that those who were not physically present but watched six or more hours of news coverage per day in the week following the event experienced even more severe impacts on their mental health.
The Consequences of Media-Induced Stress
Numerous studies have explored the impact of negative information on mental and physical health. Growing evidence shows that the emotional consequences of consuming news can affect our health, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks or developing diseases in the following years.
News can be more harmful than reality itself. The effects of many crises demonstrate that the more news consumed, the higher the likelihood of developing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some studies indicate that repeated media coverage can cause more severe acute stress compared to direct exposure to the traumatic event.
Prolonged media exposure can turn acute stress into chronic stress with serious physiological consequences. Prospective studies collected after the September 11 attacks showed that repeatedly watching TV broadcasts related to the attacks over long periods significantly increased symptoms of acute stress.
Conclusion
The link between negative news and health is evident. Society must recognize the profound impact of negative news and take measures to mitigate its effects. Awareness and stress management become essential to protect our mental and physical health in a world constantly bombarded by negative information. For a comprehensive understanding and more information on the impact of negative news on our health, it is highly recommended to watch the sensational documentary "THE IMPACT." This film delves into how constant exposure to negative news affects our mental and physical well-being, offering a detailed and thorough examination of the phenomenon through testimonies, scientific studies, and expert analyses.
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