Global threat: 60% of deaths caused by chronic diseases

New Delhi: Three out of every five deaths in 2008 were caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer,stroke,diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.Whats worse,deaths caused by these diseases are expected to increase by 15% in the next decade from 36 million in 2008 to 44 million in 2020.In 2030,it will cross the 50 million mark.
The region projected to have the greatest total number of NCD deaths in 2020 is South-East Asia 10.4 million deaths.These stats are bound to bother India since 80% of these deaths occurred and will occur in low and middle income countries,according to the first global status report on NCDs launched on Wednesday by the World Health Organization.
Calling it an impending disaster for many countries a disaster for health,for society and national economies,WHO director general Dr Margaret Chan said Chronic NCDs deliver a two-punch blow to development.They cause billions of dollars in losses of national income,and they push millions of people below the poverty line,each and every year.