Zambia
Leading cause: Heart Disease · 75% plant-based · 63.9 yr life expectancy · UHC 62/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Heart Disease · 152 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Heart disease (152/100k) leads, with a maize-based (nshima) and vegetable diet that stays largely plant-based. HIV and infectious disease, alongside limited coverage, shape the 64-year life expectancy.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- HIV control and primary-care access matter more than dietary change here.
- Slow the urban rise of processed foods and sugary drinks.
Explore the evidence: Heart Disease
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 152 CVD deaths per 100k · 75% plant-based diet