The report provides an overview of the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. It finds that NCDs killed 36 million people in 2008, with nearly 80% of NCD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use are major contributors to the NCD burden. The report analyzes population-wide and individual interventions that can effectively reduce NCD mortality and morbidity, and calls for urgent action to address the growing NCD epidemic globally.