Non-communicable diseases represent a new frontier in the fight to improve global health. Worldwide, the increase in such diseases means that they are now responsible for more deaths than all other causes combined. Commonly known as chronic or lifestyle-related diseases, the main non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. While the international community has focused on communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, the four main non-communicable diseases have emerged relatively unnoticed in the developing world and are now becoming a global epidemic. However, such diseases could be
significantly reduced and prevented, with millions of lives saved and untold suffering avoided, through proven and affordable measures, many of which are complementary to global health efforts already under way. The knowledge and
technology to fight the onset and effects of non-communicable diseases already exist. It’s time to act to save future generations from the health and socio-economic harm of such diseases.