Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases or medical conditions which are not infectious. However there is evidence linking some NCDs with communicable diseases.
The four NCDs which account for the greatest mortality are cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. These kill three in five people worldwide and cause great socioeconomic harm, particularly in developing countries.
Other important NCDs are mental health, non-accidents and injuries.
According to the World Health Organisation, they account for 63% of all global deaths or 36 million people each year.
These diseases share common preventable risk factors such as tobacco, diet, insufficient physical activity, harmful use of alcohol and indoor air pollution.
Addressing these risk factors largely requires action from outside the health sector.
NCDs and the developing world
Although NCDs have been associated with wealthy people and countries, they are increasingly becoming diseases of poverty.
The poor have the worst outcomes from NCDs, largely because of their inability to access or afford preventative services and ongoing treatment.
NCDs are likely to become a leading cause of impoverishment at household and societal level, threatening the gains made in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Our approach
NCDs are complex and require a whole of society approach to prevention. Health services have an important role to play in prevention, promotion, diagnosis and treatment.
DFID's health focus is to improve the provision of basic health services for the poorest. We do this by strengthening health systems, by supporting health workers and by improving access to medicines. See the other topics in this health section for more information.
We also work to address NCDs through research, vaccinations and climate change programmes.
Looking at mental health, in 2011 we launched a £6 million research initiative called Programme for Improving Mental Health Care (PRIME) led by the University of Cape Town.
It runs from 2011 to 2017 and brings together a consortium of researchers from South Africa, the UK, Uganda, Ethiopia, India and the World Health Organisation to investigate health care packages for priority mental disorders.
On the vaccinations front, the UK is the largest donor to the Global Alliance of Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI). Since 2000, GAVI has increased access to the hepatitis B vaccination. This prevents the chronic liver disease and cancer that can result from a hepatitis B infection.
Find out more about our work in immunisation