The report outlines the MPOWER package, a set of six key tobacco control measures that reflect and build on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Cancer is becoming an increasing problem for developing countries, and issues commonly associated with poverty are making it worse.

This was the message from specialists at an online seminar on 'Cancer and the Developing World', organised by the US National Cancer Institute and the American Society of Clinical Oncology last week (20 December).

Dele O Abegunde, Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, WHO
Colin D Mathers, Department of Measurement and Health Information Systems, WHO

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank

Bhim Pariyar, who grew up on the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, huddled in a corner with other boys like him, all trying to warm themselves around the fire they had made by burning plastic, paper and tyres.

"It's time for fun now," Pariyar told his friends as he took out the packet of dendrite.

"You know, this helps us to get rid of our hunger," explained his friend, 14-year-old Rajen Subba, who fled his home in Jhapa district in southeast Nepal due to grinding poverty and started to work as a rag picker.

Angus Deaton - Center for Health and Wellbeing

The Institute for Development studies has produced a collection of papers and readings on non-communicable disease and development.

Key areas include: