Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for more than 65% of all deaths worldwide and are of pandemic proportions in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa. More than 80% of these NCD deaths are as a result of four disease groups, namely heart and blood vessel disease, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung disease, with tobacco use, harmful substance abuse, a sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diets considered to be the main risk factors.

Earlier in August, Prof Martin Schwellnus, specialist sports and exercise medicine physician and Director of the Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Institute at the University of Pretoria, presented a lecture titled 'The drug everyone should take! Why, how, and what?' as part of the University's popular Expert lecture series. According to Prof Schwellnus scientific studies have identified one 'drug' that reduces the risk of dying from an NCD by 35 to 50%.

Click on the video link below to watch a recording of Prof Schwellnus's interesting lecture on YouTube and find out more about the why, how and what of this 'wonder drug'.