Dar es Salaam, April 22 -- TANZANIA: IF you are not aware, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading causes of death worldwide and represent an emerging global health threat, implying that you are the next victim if you dont take precaution.

NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

People of all age groups, regions and countries are affected by NCDs. These conditions are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that 17 million NCD deaths occur before the age of 70 years.

Of these premature deaths, 86 per cent are ...