World's Rising Powers Face Growing Economic Threat of Diabetes, Heart Disease

NEW YORK | They are the new generation of economic powers, the nations whose economic growth put the world on notice. Now, Brazil, Russia, India and China, nicknamed the BRIC countries, are also facing a health threat that is killing off citizens, hurting their work forces and could slow progress.

These middle-income nations all boast huge populations that helped power their ascent, but changes in lifestyle, urbanization, lack of exercise and diets that now include processed foods are causing swift increases in non-communicable diseases.