IOC, WHO sign pact to promote healthy lifestyles
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 a five-year agreement Wednesday at Olympic headquarters.
The two bodies will cooperate in their respective national offices to influence health policy and target non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers and diabetes.
The WHO says non-communicable 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.