In today's health matters, for a little more than a dollar a person, poorer countries could help keep their populations healthier.

The World Health Organization says non-communicable diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes cancer and diabetes, account for nearly two-thirds of deaths worldwide.

The WHO says by 2030 up to 52 million people a year could be dying from those diseases.

So the UN health agency has issued a list of recommendations to help governments keep them at bay.

Taxes on tobacco and alcohol, smoke-free laws and public awareness programs to help people improve diets are some of the suggestions.

A WHO spokesperson says countries could put these measures into effect for the equivalent of a dollar and 20 cents a person, every year.