Summary
This analysis quantifies current adherence to the Planetary Health Diet (EAT-Lancet reference diet) across nations and estimates mortality prevention potential if global dietary patterns shifted towards this sustainable, health-optimised diet. Using mortality data from large US cohorts, the authors project that improving global PHDI from a current mean of 85 to 120 could prevent approximately 15 million deaths annually (27% of total mortality), with largest reductions in cardiovascular disease. The work suggests substantial public health and sustainability gains from widespread dietary transition, though the authors note numerical estimates should be interpreted cautiously pending additional regional data.
UK applicability
The study provides global and country-specific PHDI benchmarks that could inform UK nutrition and sustainability policy, though the mortality estimates derive primarily from US cohort data; UK-specific mortality impact would require application of disease burden and dietary data reflecting British population characteristics and current food patterns.
Key measures
Planetary Health Dietary Index (PHDI) score out of 140; annual preventable deaths globally and by cause; current mean PHDI by country
Outcomes reported
The study quantified current global and national adherence to the Planetary Health Diet using the Planetary Health Dietary Index (PHDI) and estimated mortality preventable through dietary shift using data from three large US cohorts with 206,404 participants and 54,536 deaths.
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