This sectoral brief is tailored specifically to ministries of information and communications. It expands upon the following key points regarding what this sector needs to know about NCDs:

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of illness, premature death and suffering.
• The increasing burden of NCDs is linked strongly to global marketing of tobacco, alcohol, and processed foods and beverages high in fat, sugar and/or salt.
• Ministries of information and communications have exceptional reach to promote good health and help people reduce their risk of dying early from a preventable NCD.
• Several strategies are important to get the message across clearly.