As I recall, news of people dying of heart attacks was about as common, but I feel there were many more people having strokes.
Also, there was only one kid at school who ever had asthma. Poor little buggar. It was so rare we treated him like a freak.
Diabetes is another that was hardly ever heard of, a real rarity. In fact I never heard of one person I knew personally.

Stay well (age 75yrs)