Brussels, 20/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, European Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, on 19 September, of a political declaration on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. The declaration provides for coordinated action at global level to tackle these diseases. The commissioner notes that non-communicable diseases already account for 63% of deaths worldwide and that only coordinated action will allow them to be tackled effectively. Action must be taken on the risk factors influencing these diseases, such as smoking, poor diet, insufficient physical activity and harmful alcohol consumption, and underlying social, economic and environmental factors must be addressed, the commissioner said. The EU particularly welcomes the declaration's emphasis on health promotion and prevention of avoidable diseases which are at the core of the European health strategy. The EU says it “is determined to take forward the declaration in partnership with the global community”. (IL/transl.rt)