10 facts on noncommunicable diseases
Updated March 2013
WHO/C. de Bode
Noncommunicable - or chronic - diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. The four main types of noncommunicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, are by far the leading cause of death in the world, representing 63% of all annual deaths. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill more than 36 million people each year. Some 80% of all NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Read 10 facts on noncommunicable diseases
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Events
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The 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion
10–14 June 2013
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Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly
20–28 May 2013
Corporate resources
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The world health report
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World health statistics report
WHO's annual compilation of data from its Member States -
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International Health Regulations (IHR)
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