Non-communicable diseases kill three out of four people worldwide

Tackling risk factors for NCDs like heart disease, diabetes and cancer could help to save 39 million lives over the next seven years. — AFP

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for 74% of deaths globally and cracking down on risk factors could save millions of lives, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sept 21 (2022).

A report from the United Nations health agency shows that NCDs, which are often preventable and caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or living conditions, kill 41 million people every year, including 17 million under the age of 70.