Loss of $237 bn due to lifestyle diseases

The economic loss in India, which was $8.7 billion in 2005, is projected to rise to $54 billion in 2015, according to the report "Preventing Communicable Diseases in the Workplace through Diet and Physical Activity".  

The projected loss for China - the other fast developing country - is a massive $558 billion, while the estimated figure for Russia and the UK is $33 billion.  

The estimated income loss in Brazil in 2015 would be $9.3 billion, while in Pakistan $6.7 billion, Nigeria $1.5 billion and Canada $1.5 billion.  

Promoting the concept of a healthy workplace, the report has said targeting physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits are effective in improving health-related outcomes such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors.  

The report was presented to the World Health Assembly in Geneva today.  This report, the outcome of an event jointly organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Economic Forum, summarises the current evidence available in addressing the different dimensions of the workplace as a key setting for interventions designed to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through diet and physical activity.