Manila, May 30 -- A health group on Friday called on newly elected officials to confront non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which it describes as a public health crisis.

The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA) made the appeal following the United Nations Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on NCDs and a day before the World No Tobacco Day celebration.

According to the World Health Organization, Filipinos face a 24.5 percent chance of dying from NCDs between ages 30 and 70, far above the Asia-Pacific regional average of 15.6 percent.

According to HPA, bold and evidence-based policies must be made to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.

"Our newly-elected leaders need to confront th...