Editorial Message

Prior to the 20,h century, acute infectious diseases such as influenza, diphtheria, bloody diarrhea, and whooping cough were the most important causes of mortality worldwide. Because of improvements in the public health system and medications, the likelihood of mortality from acute infections has decreased; however, the mortality rates associated with high-risk behaviors and non-infectious and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, have increased instead. High-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, unsafe sexual behavior, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, and obesity may lead to the occurrence of chronic diseases that are the leading causes of mortality. It is believed that the majority of deaths can be prevented or delayed through changes in lifestyle or by reducing high-risk behaviors. I believe that we need comprehensive and valid theories and appropriate research-based knowledge about high-risk behaviors to protect and enhance the health of people, prevent inculcation of high-risk behaviors, and to reduce the costs of doing high-risk behaviors and addiction