PHA-Exchange> Unsafe sex is the second-largest health risk

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Unsafe Sex Ranks Second in WHO List of World's Top Health Risks

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Unsafe sex is the second-largest health risk worldwide, according to a
World Health Organization report released yesterday and summarized in
the Lancet, AFP/New York Times reports.  The report, titled "Reducing
Risks, Promoting Healthy Life," lists the top 10 major health risks
worldwide that together account for approximately 40% of all deaths
(AFP/New York Times, 10/31).  The number one international health risk
is being underweight, which results from a lack of food and can
contribute to low birthweight infants and other health problems.
According to the report, both underweight and unsafe sex are "far more
prevalent" in developing nations than in developed nations (Winslow,
Wall Street Journal, 10/31).  HIV/AIDS is currently the world's fourth
leading cause of death, the report said, adding that 2.9 million deaths
per year can be attributed to unsafe sex, with the majority of deaths
occurring in Africa (Lovell, Reuters, 10/30).