Prioritizing Non-Communicable Diseases

Derek Yach, Director of Global Health Policy at PepsiCo, discusses the role of government and business in lowering mortality rates from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). "We now have overwhelming evidence, both of the health impact, and perhaps as importantly, we're starting to see the economic impact of heart disease, diabites, chronic lung disease, cancer," says Yach, arguing this data is raising global interest in the issue of NCDs.

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The high cost of living is a critical factor that contributes to the incidence of NCD's. Healthy foods often cost more than those with high salt, sugar or fat content. The cost of living often pressures poor people to buy higher risk foods.