health - World Visualized

health

World / 2 days ago

Global fentanyl alarm grows as Germany takes top spot

When it comes to fentanyl consumption, Germany leads the world with 16.2%, followed by Spain (12.9%) and the United States (12.7%). When it comes to fentanyl consumption, Germany leads the world with 16.2%, followed by Spain (12.9%) and the United States (12.7%). These numbers come at a time when fentanyl-related overdoses and trafficking networks have become major international issues, prompting governments to strengthen monitoring and public health responses.

World / 1 week ago

Portugal stands alone in mandating vegan meals in all public institutions

In a world where dietary choices are becoming political and ethical, Portugal is the only country on Earth where it is illegal not to offer a vegan meal in public institutions. In a world where dietary choices are becoming political and ethical, Portugal is the only country on Earth where it is illegal not to offer a vegan meal in public institutions. In 2017, the Portuguese Parliament passed Law No. 11/2017, mandating at least one vegan option in all public-sector canteens, including schools, universities, hospitals, and prisons.

Environment / 3 weeks ago

The silent tug-of-war between the clock and the sun in Europe

In Europe, time zones are meant to align daily life with the sun’s rhythm, but in reality, many countries run on a social clock that’s out of sync with their geographical position. A new map shows exactly how well (or badly) nations match their time zones to their natural solar time: some tick in near-perfect alignment (marked in dark green), while others live in what feels like a parallel timeline (shaded brown).

Culture / 4 weeks ago

EU smokers paying up to 91% tax on cigarettes

In the European Commission’s latest figures and independent compilations, smokers across the European Union are forking out more in taxes than for the tobacco product itself. One visual breakdown shows that in countries like Ireland, France and the Netherlands, the tax portion of a 20-cigarette pack reaches as high as 90 % of its retail price.

Environment / 5 weeks ago

Countries with the highest testosterone levels

A new visual by World Visualized highlights the countries with the highest average testosterone levels, measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). The data reveals some surprising global trends, with Uzbekistan leading the world at 773 ng/dl, followed closely by Croatia (752 ng/dl) and Cameroon (731 ng/dl).

Environment / 7 weeks ago

The world’s most polluted countries

Air pollution remains one of the world’s most pressing environmental and health threats. The latest IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report paints a troubling picture, showing that millions of people still breathe air far above safe health limits. According to the report, Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India were the world’s most polluted countries in 2024, with air quality levels many times higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Culture / 8 weeks ago

Eastern Europe leads global alcohol consumption

The highest per-capita alcohol consumption in the world is concentrated in Eastern Europe. According to data from World Population Review (2022), Romania tops the list at 17.1 liters of pure alcohol per year, followed by Georgia (15.5 L), Latvia (14.7 L), Moldova (14.1 L), Czechia (13.7 L), Lithuania (12.2 L), Namibia (12 L), Poland (11.9 L), Austria (11.8 L), and Bulgaria (11.5 L).

World / 8 weeks ago

Is your right eye in charge? What 70% of people don’t realise about eye dominance

Did you know that 70% of people are right-eye dominant, while roughly 30% are left-eye dominant? That’s according to visual science sources citing ocular dominance studies. Though eye dominance doesn’t equate to better vision, it plays a subtle but meaningful role in how our brain processes visual information.

Maps / 8 weeks ago

Abortions laws around the world

Across the globe, the ability to end a pregnancy still depends largely on where you live. The map above captures the patchwork of how some countries allow abortion on request (often with gestational limits), others restrict it to narrow grounds such as risk to the patient’s life or health, rape, or fetal impairment, and a few still prohibit it entirely. The World Health Organisation estimates that about 73 million abortions occur each year, where laws are restrictive, unsafe procedures rise and account for an estimated 4.7–13% of maternal deaths, while deaths from safe, regulated abortion are exceedingly rare.

World / 11 weeks ago

A look into 9/11’s global impact after 24 years

Twenty-four years later, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks remain etched deeply in collective memory around the world. While the destruction of the World Trade Centre, the hit on the Pentagon, and the crash in Pennsylvania are often viewed primarily through an American lens, the global casualty pattern reminds us that people from over 60 countries died that day.

Culture / 13 weeks ago

A surprising calorie breakdown of America’s lightest fast-food burgers

Burgers may be America’s most beloved fast-food indulgence, but not all of them come with an overload of calories. A new breakdown by World Visualized spotlights the lowest-calorie burgers across major U.S. chains, revealing that some classics are far lighter than many might expect. With Americans consuming an estimated 50 billion burgers a year, these findings matter not just for waistlines, but also for the ongoing conversation about healthier choices in fast food.