Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, says the WHO (World Health Organization). It says global action is urgently needed to prevent chronic diseases and save an innumerable number of lives - 35 million lives by 2015, says a WHO report ‘Preventing Chronic Diseases, a Vital Investment'.

Four fifths of chronic disease fatalities happen in developing countries, says the WHO report. India stands to lose $236 billion, and Russia $303 billion from now till 2015 as a result of the economic impact of treatable and preventable chronic diseases.

If we were to reduce fatalities from chronic diseases by 2% per year for the next ten years we could save 36 million lives, says the WHO report.

The WHO called on all nations and their agencies, government departments and the private sector to help in the effort to combat chronic diseases.