Edgar Allan Poe’s famous raven “Nevermore” should be the new anti-smoking, anti-junk food, and sensible alcohol slogan against what have become some of health’s major risk factors, along with pollution and lack of exercise. Poor eating habits, excessive alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet contribute to obesity and chronic diseases. All puns and jokes aside, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are no laughing matter. They account for close to two-thirds of global deaths. Cancer, diabetes, strokes, heart and lung problems are silent killers that affect the individual, their families, and society by extension. The UN has embarked on a campaign to promote better health, eating, and exercise habits and has called upon governments and the private sector to exercise their weight. UN News Centre Source Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro: “Governments can take decisions that reward and encourage healthy habits. Equally, they can raise the financial cost of unhealthy habits. Governments can also strengthen health care for people with NCDs. They can fund research. “The private sector can make sure that while they pursue profits, they also protect health. Companies can adjust the formulas of their foods to include better ingredients and ban those that are known to be harmful, like transfats. “Companies can also act responsibly when marketing products to children. And all of us can take measures to keep harmful chemicals out of our environment.” Although NCD’s cross the economic and cultural divide, 80% of the death toll occurs in poorer countries where pregnant mothers and their babies are also affected. Smoking rates are highest among men in lower-middle-income countries. Those countries also suffer two-thirds of all cancer deaths. Africa has the highest rate of people living with raised blood pressure, Ms. Migiro said. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO) 36.1 million people died in 2008 from conditions such as heart disease, strokes, chronic lung diseases, cancers and diabetes. In closing, in Undiplomatic TV Facebook humor, to help remember to live healthy – I give you the words to one of my favorite poems by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Raven.” "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door — Only this, and nothing more." Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Lenore — For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore — Nameless here for evermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me — filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating, Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door — Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; — This it is, and nothing more." Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you"— here I opened wide the door; — Darkness there, and nothing more. Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?" This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!" — Merely this, and nothing more. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice: Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore — Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; — 'Tis the wind and nothing more." Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door — Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door — Perched, and sat, and nothing more. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore. Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore — Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore." Much I marveled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning— little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door — Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as "Nevermore." — Edgar Allan Poe (The Raven) ----By, Susan Sacirbey Become a Facebook Fan: Diplomatically Incorrect and Undiplomatic TV Follow on Twitter: @ DiplomaticallyX Related Film and Blog Reports: “Non-Communicable Diseases/Consequences – Europe” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/non-communicable-diseasesconsequences-europe-globe/23814 “Alcohol Abuse/Globally 2,500,000 Die” diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/alcohol-abuseglobally-2500000-die/25104 “Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder” By Susan Sacirbey diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/beauty-in-the-eyes-of-the-beholder-by-susan-sacirbey/28292 Diplomatically Incorrect Channels: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/diplomatically-incorrect Undiplomatic Channel: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/undiplomatic