Global Alliance sets out targets to fight chronic non-communicable diseases

The Global Alliance for Chronic Disease has announced its first targets as it sets out to combat the prevalence of "chronic non-communicable diseases" (CNCDs).

The newly-formed alliance, which brings together a number of organisations from around the world, including from the UK, United States, China, India and Australia has stated that it will focus it efforts on three main areas.

Specifically, it will work to reduce levels of hypertension, cut back of tobacco use in the developing world and address the issue of pollution caused by certain types of indoor cooking stoves, again mainly within developing countries.

According to the group, CNDCs are responsible for more than one in five global deaths each year, for example millions are killed due to the unregulated sale of cigarettes in countries such as India.

"The health impact and socio-economic cost of CNCDs is enormous and rising, upending efforts to combat poverty," a statement from the Global Alliance noted.

As well as some cancers, the group has also been established to coordinate research and funding priorities so as to combat type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.

News brought to you by Global Health TV, connecting health communities