Background of the problem Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have replaced communicable diseases as the most common causes of 1 morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Of 56.4 million global deaths in 2015, 70% (39.5 million) were due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In 2015, over three quarters of NCD deaths i.e., 30.7 million occurred in low and middle income countries with about 48% of deaths occurring before the age of 70 years in these countries. The leading causes of NCD deaths in 2015 were cardiovascular diseases (17.7 million deaths, or 45% of all NCD deaths), cancers (8.8 million, or 22% of all NCD deaths), and respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary 2 diseases (3.9 million). Deaths due to Non communicable diseases are projected to increase from 38 million in 2012 to 52 1 million by 2030.