WHO Confirms Noncommunicable Diseases as Top Killers Globally

Geneva, September 22 (QNA) - In a new report under the title of 'Invisible Numbers: The True Scale of Noncommunicable Diseases', World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that from heart disease to cancer and diabetes, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) now outnumber infectious diseases as the "top killers globally," with one person under 70 dying every two seconds from an NCD.
Director-General of WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus launched a new report calling on global leaders to take urgent action on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), responsible for 17 million premature deaths every year. This follows the launch of a Global NCD Compact earlier this year by Ghana and Norway.
The report and portal highlight the extent of global NCD burden, risk factors, and the progress each country is making in their efforts to combat these diseases and conditions "This report is a reminder of the true scale of the threat posed by NCDs and their risk factors," said Dr. Tedros, adding that there are cost-effective and globally applicable NCD interventions that every country, no matter its income level, can and should be using and benefitting from - saving lives and saving money.
Gallup released a new survey commissioned by WHO and Bloomberg Philanthropies that found most respondents in five surveyed countries - including Colombia, India, Jordan, the United Republic of Tanzania and US rank an NCD or NCD risk factor as the biggest health problem in their country.
The public's awareness of the links between NCDs and their risk factors such, as tobacco and alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity, is low.
WHO recommended that heads of state should adhere to the global agreement on non-communicable diseases to save 50 million people by 2030, and return to the right track to reach the sustainable development goals and reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases. (QNA)