Posted July 27, 2010
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Olympic Committee and World Health Organization have agreed to work together to promote healthy lifestyles and tackle child obesity.
IOC president Jacques Rogge and WHO director general Margaret Chan signed an initial five-year agreement Wednesday at Olympic headquarters.
The two bodies will cooperate in their respective national offices to influence health policy and target noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes.
The WHO says noncommunicable diseases kill almost nine million people under the age of 60 each year.
It says reduced exposure to tobacco, better diet and more physical activity would lower fatality rates for people under 60, mostly in developing countries.