WHO Survey Reveals Avian Influenza was the Top Health Issue of 2005

More than 600 people from 20-plus countries participated in the World Health Organization (WHO)s online survey, "How healthy is your world?" Participants were asked two questions: What were the top health issues of 2005? and What global health issues were the most neglected?

The results are as follows:

Top 10 health issues of 2005

1. Avian influenza

2. HIV/AIDS

3. Tobacco

4. Chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease

5. Environmental health issues

6. Poverty

7. Disasters/emergencies

8. Malaria

9. Malnutrition

10. Inequity in access to healthcare

Top 10 neglected health issues of 2005

1. Tobacco

2. HIV/AIDS

3. Environmental health issues

4. Chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease

5. Poverty

6. Avian influenza

7. Malaria

8. Violence

9. Malnutrition

10. Inequity in access to healthcare

Source: World Health Organization