News In focus Developing countries face double burden of disease Following 18 months of multi-stake-holder consultations, and two days of tense negotiations at the 57th World Health Assembly in May, the Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health was finally — and unanimously — adopted by WHO Member States. The adoption of the nonbinding strategy opens the way for policy-makers to dev...

Recent years have demonstrated the devastating health consequences of complex emergencies and natural disasters and thereby highlighted the importance of comprehensive and collaborative approaches to humanitarian responses and risk reduction. Simultaneously, noncommunicable diseases are now recognised as a real and growing threat to population health and development; a threat that is magnified ...

Tanzania continues to enjoy stability and growth in different sectors similar to other countries; however, some challenges persist in the health sector, especially in the area of cancer care. The current study aimed at reviewing social economic status (SES), as well as factors contributing to the increased burden of breast cancer (BC) in Tanzania. The current study reviewed different articles a...

 The demographic and epidemiologic transitions in South Asia are resulting in an increasing share of the disease burden related to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).  The impact of these two transitions can either allow countries to benefit from the demographic dividend or miss the opportunity due to increased morbidity, disability, and mortality among the working-age population, and to increas...

As the world struggles to cope with communicable diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS, noncommunicable diseases (including mental disorders and injuries) are rapidly on the rise. The rapid rise in noncommunicable diseases represents one of the major health challenges to global economic and social development. It disproportionately affects those in greatest need – the poor, often women and children, an...

Editorials 479 Despite increased global aid for development and health – from 5.6 billion United States dollars (US$) in 1990 to US$ 21.8 billion in 2007 1 – donors and wider society have become sceptical about the benefits of this aid. This is reflected in a call recently issued by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges Explorations programme for innovative ways to better con...

Physical inactivity is a major public health issue. For the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, number malignancies, regular physical activity critical protective factor. Along with helping to maintain healthy weight overall wellbeing, has positive effects on mental health, including avoidance cognitive decline symptoms ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW There are today 11 mega-countries with more than 100 million inhabitants. Together these countries represent more than 60% of the world's population. All are facing noncommunicable chronic disease (NCD) epidemic where high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are becoming the main public health concerns. Most of these countries are facing the double burd...

Philip Morris has recently brought claims against Australia (2011) and Uruguay (2010) under international investment agreements (IIAs). The claims allege that Philip Morris is entitled to compensation following the introduction of innovative tobacco packaging regulations to reduce smoking and prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Since tobacco control measures are often viewed as a model for...