Which of the following preventable health problems is the cause of mor

Which of the following preventable health problems is the cause of more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities than any other?

a. Use of tobacco
b. Obesity
c. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
d. Substance abuse

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
Perhaps no other health-related condition has as many far-reaching consequences in contemporary Western society as substance abuse. These consequences include a wide range of social, psychological, physical, economic, and political problems. Drug abuse and addiction have negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Estimates of the total overall costs of substance abuse in the United States, including productivity and health- and crime-related costs exceed $600 billion annually. This includes approximately $193 billion for illicit drugs, $193 billion for tobacco, and $235 billion for alcohol. These numbers in dollars do not describe the extent of public health and safety implications. Substance abuse is the cause of more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities than the use of tobacco, obesity, and STDs.