Brigit Toebes: 'Law can help to make a healthy lifestyle accessible to everybody'

Globally, 70 to 80 percent of people die as a result of a chronic condition, such as cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. Many of these deaths are premature - half of the people who die before they are 70 years old, die due to a chronic condition. In the Netherlands, a country with around 17 million inhabitants, some 9 million people have a chronic condition. ‘We know that these chronic conditions can be reduced by half by living healthier. By cutting back on smoking, unhealthy food, harmful use of alcohol and lack of exercise’, explains Brigit Toebes, Professor of Health Law in a Global Context at the University of Groningen, on Topdutch (under 'Healthy Laws').

This article was published by the Faculty of Law.

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