The landmark 1996 publication, “The Global Burden of Disease”,

presented data from 1990 with data projections out to 2020 for

three broad cause groups of health problems that, collectively,

constitute the world's total disease burden.

These are: Group 1, communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions;

Group 2, noncommunicable diseases; and

Group 3, injuries.

Within each of these broad groups are more specific conditions.

Non-communicable diseases are the most widespread diseases seen by

the majority of medical students in their practice.

We need to work together to share our knowledge about these

conditions for prevention and cure.