We found substantial heterogeneity across countries in the leading risk factors. Some notable patterns are the role of unsafe sexual practices as a driver of the HIV epidemic in Eastern and Southern Africa and the role of alcohol consumption in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. There are also marked spatial patterns for other risks such as high BMI in Central America, North Africa and the Middle East, and Oceania. Interpreting spatial patterns needs to take into account the fact that some risks have a strong relationship with socioeconomic development. Several environmental and behavioural risks, including water, sanitation, handwashing, household air pollution, and childhood growth failure decline profoundly with development. Another cluster of risks tends to increase with socioeconomic development, including high BMI, high SBP, red meat consumption, sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, and high FPG.
