The World Health Organization (WHO) says progress is being made in reducing deaths from non-communicable diseases. But it says much more needs to be done to save the almost 40 million people who die every year from preventable causes. In a new report, the WHO noted that cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, cancers and diabetes are the biggest killers of people. Every year, the report said, 15 million adults die before they reach old age. It noted they often die in the most productive period of their lives, between the ages of 30 and 70. The agency says tobacco use, the harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity are some of the top reasons for premature death.
