The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 provides a comprehensive assessment of the magnitude of risk factor exposure, relative risk, and attributable burden of disease. The study estimated attributable mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 87 risk factors and combinations of risk factors at the global, regional, and country levels from 1990 to 2019. Key findings include: - **Global Exposure Trends**: The largest declines in risk exposure from 2010 to 2019 were observed for risks strongly linked to social and economic development, such as household air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing, and child growth failure. Global declines also occurred for tobacco smoking and lead exposure. - **Attributable Burden**: In 2019, high systolic blood pressure was the leading Level 2 risk factor for attributable deaths, accounting for 10.8 million deaths (19.2% of all deaths), followed by tobacco (smoked, second-hand, and chewing) with 8.71 million deaths (15.4% of all deaths). Child and maternal malnutrition was the leading Level 2 risk factor for attributable DALYs, affecting the youngest age groups and accounting for 295 million DALYs (11.6% of all DALYs). - **Regional and Country Variations**: The burden of risk factors varied significantly by age group and location. For example, in children aged 0–9 years, malnutrition was the leading risk factor, while iron deficiency was the leading risk factor for those aged 10–24 years, alcohol use for those aged 25–49 years, and high systolic blood pressure for those aged 50–74 years and 75 years and older. - **Policy Implications**: The study highlights the need for public policy to address risks such as ambient particulate matter pollution, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose, which are increasing in exposure. Effective regulatory policies, community programs, and primary care interventions are crucial to reduce these risks and improve public health. Overall, the study underscores the importance of tracking and addressing risk factors to improve public health and reduce disease burden.The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 provides a comprehensive assessment of the magnitude of risk factor exposure, relative risk, and attributable burden of disease. The study estimated attributable mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 87 risk factors and combinations of risk factors at the global, regional, and country levels from 1990 to 2019. Key findings include: - **Global Exposure Trends**: The largest declines in risk exposure from 2010 to 2019 were observed for risks strongly linked to social and economic development, such as household air pollution, unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing, and child growth failure. Global declines also occurred for tobacco smoking and lead exposure. - **Attributable Burden**: In 2019, high systolic blood pressure was the leading Level 2 risk factor for attributable deaths, accounting for 10.8 million deaths (19.2% of all deaths), followed by tobacco (smoked, second-hand, and chewing) with 8.71 million deaths (15.4% of all deaths). Child and maternal malnutrition was the leading Level 2 risk factor for attributable DALYs, affecting the youngest age groups and accounting for 295 million DALYs (11.6% of all DALYs). - **Regional and Country Variations**: The burden of risk factors varied significantly by age group and location. For example, in children aged 0–9 years, malnutrition was the leading risk factor, while iron deficiency was the leading risk factor for those aged 10–24 years, alcohol use for those aged 25–49 years, and high systolic blood pressure for those aged 50–74 years and 75 years and older. - **Policy Implications**: The study highlights the need for public policy to address risks such as ambient particulate matter pollution, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose, which are increasing in exposure. Effective regulatory policies, community programs, and primary care interventions are crucial to reduce these risks and improve public health. Overall, the study underscores the importance of tracking and addressing risk factors to improve public health and reduce disease burden.