India needs to raise GDP by 4-10% to eliminate diseases

Since these diseases are closely linked to poverty,they pose a serious public health threat to the region and also impede development. For instance in India,eliminating non-communicable diseases would increase the GDP by 4-10 per cent,according to the World Bank.

More than 22 per cent of deaths worldwide due to non-communicable diseases occur in the 11 countries in the South-East Asia,the WHO said.

A third of these deaths are expected to be among middle-aged adults under the age of 60 years. This epidemic of non-communicable diseases can be largely prevented through cost-effective public health measures.

“Non-communicable diseases pose a threat to the global economy and are impoverishing to both families and individuals. These diseases are the major cause of poverty at the individual and household level,” Dr Samlee Plianbangchang,WHO’s Regional Director for South-East Asia said.

“Diabetes,hypertension,stroke and cardiovascular diseases have increased in the region. Costly in terms of long-term care,they demand a type of social and financial investment that many countries will have difficulty making unless they quickly begin to re-prioritize their efforts and funding,” he added.

The WHO says many of these diseases can be prevented,delayed or alleviated through simple lifestyle changes. By improving diet,increasing physical activity and quitting smoking,80 per cent of heart diseases and stroke,80 per cent of type 2 diabetes and 40 per cent of cancers can be prevented.

Around 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week could reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease by 30 per cent,the risk of diabetes by 27 per cent and the risk of breast and colon cancer by 21-25 per cent.

In order to address these issues,the UN General Assembly is convening a high-level meeting in September 2011 to galvanise action to halt premature deaths from non-communicable diseases.