Chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes have reached global epidemic proportions and now cause more deaths than all other diseases combined, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In its first worldwide report on so called non-communicable diseases (NCD) the UN's health body said the conditions pose a greater threat than infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis - even in many poorer countries.

NCDs, which include heart and lung diseases, cancer and diabetes, accounted for 36 million (63 per cent) of the 57 million deaths from disease in 2008. Millions of lives could be saved if people did more to avoid risk factors such as smoking, drinking and being overweight. Details: http://www.who.int/nmh/en/