World Economic Forum - Working Towards Wellness

World Economic Forum - Working Towards Wellness: "The mission of the Working Towards Wellness project of the World Economic Forum is to stimulate greater business engagement in the global fight against chronic disease through employee wellness. Chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes caused approximately 60% of deaths worldwide in 2005 and are projected to increase 17% over the next 10 years, from 35 million to 41 million. Not restricted to developed nations or older populations, the problem is growing fastest in low-income countries, and almost half of those who die from chronic diseases are younger than 70. The economic consequences are significant: in 2005 alone, income loss caused by chronic diseases was around US$ 18 million in China, US$ 9 million in India and US$ 11 million in Russia."