At the 65th World Health Assembly which concluded Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a target to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25 per cent by 2025.

WHO member countries also approved the development of a global monitoring framework for the prevention and control of NCDs and called for building partnerships at national and global levels in the action against NCDs.
NCDs are chronic illnesses such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses that combined have become the leading causes of death globally, according to the WHO. The main risk factors for NCDs are considered to be tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.
The targets set by the WHO are not binding, but similar initiatives such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) had a lasting effect on public policy.
Other issues which health ministers and senior health officials from amongst the 194 WHO Member States discussed at the six-day meeting included early marriages and young pregnancies, international health regulations and pandemic influenza preparedness. (pi)