Chronic diseases main cause of deaths: WHO report 
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that chronic diseases have been the major cause of deaths worldwide and the menace is ever growing.
In its Global report “Preventing Chronic Diseases: A vital Investment" released in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the WHO said approximately 17 million people meet premature deaths around the world every year because of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory diseases.
The report pointed out that the problem of chronic diseases is more alarming in low and middle-income group countries, which account for 80 percent of the prevalence of chronic diseases, than in economically well-off countries. The WHO report charts the findings of the studies in India, Pakistan, Russia, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom and Tanzania.
“The threat is growing – the number of people, families and communities afflicted is increasing. The threat is an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinders the economic development of many countries,” said the report calling on the governments around the world to adopt comprehensive and integrated actions to fight the menace of chronic diseases.
An estimated 36 million premature deaths could be prevented in the next decade if the WHO target to reduce the chronicle diseases mortality by two percent every year is met, the report said. It said that scientific knowledge, which is a crucial tool to fight the threat, is already available.
Releasing the report, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Amik Sherchan said the report showed an alarming situation, which calls for health education and improvement in the living style and living standard of people.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Kan Tun, WHO representative to Nepal, said that smoking, use of alcohol, lack of physical exercises and improper diet are contributing factors of chronic diseases. Extensive awareness programmes are necessary to tackle with the problem, he pointed out. nepalnews.com mk July 19 06
