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10 Findings from WHO’s Annual World Health Statistics Report

Each year, the World Health Organization publishes its World Health Statistics report that assesses health data for its 194 member states. This year’s report, released this week, focuses on progress made against the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nation’s development agenda for 2030. Here are a few findings that illustrate progress thus far and challenges for the years ahead.

1. Typically, individuals in high-income countries pay proportionately less in out-of-pocket health care expenses than those in low- or middle-income countries do. These expenses pushed an additional 5 percent of the world’s population below the poverty line.

2. Japan continues to lead the world in life expectancy, with an average lifespan of 83.7 years. This jumps up to 86.8 years for females in Japan. Singapore and Switzerland also have average life expectancies that are greater than 83 years, compared to the global average of 71.4 years. Life expectancy is lowest in Africa, reaching just over 50 years in conflict-ridden Sierra Leone and 52 years in Angola.

3. HIV treatment an malaria prevention measures through the use of insecticide-treated bed nets have risen dramatically between 2010 and 2015. About half of individuals are now covered, compared to less than 10 percent a decade ago. Immunization coverage also saw an increase.

4. In the same time period, cardiovascular disease declined as a cause of death. Deaths due to cancer have become more common than those due to cardiovascular disease in high-income countries. In Europe, mortality rates due to these noncommunicable diseases are especially high in Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states.

5. In the U.S., access to family planning services falls behind Zimbabwe, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, among others. Access is highest in France and Brazil.

6. Kenya ranks No. 6 globally when it comes to research and development expenditure on health as a percentage of gross domestic product, just behind Denmark and the Netherlands. A report from global consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. notes that there is awareness of the importance of this spending across Africa and that empowering local scientists is key to sustainable development.

7. In 2014, more than 90 percent of the world’s population was living in places where air quality fell below WHO standards, leading to millions of deaths. Air quality is particularly deadly in Bulgaria, China and India, where an average of 171 deaths per 100,000 were due to air pollution in 2012.

8. Suicide was the second leading cause of death in 2015 in South Korea, after road traffic injuries. Suicide prevalence in the country has historically been about twice the global average, but after banning the sale of a particular pesticide — a leading method for self-harm — suicide rates in the country immediately declined.

9. Much of Europe consumes more alcohol than the global average, with Hungary, the U.K. and Belgium among the countries where individuals consume nearly double the 6.4 liter average annually.

10. In 2015, more than half of the deaths around the world had a recorded cause, up from a third in 2005. “If countries don’t know what makes people get sick and die, it’s a lot harder to know what to do about it,” Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO’s assistant director-general for health systems and innovation, said in a statement.

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10 Findings from WHO’s Annual World Health Statistics Report originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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