NEW YORK - International action is being urged at the United Nations Summit on Non Communicable Diseases (19 - 20 September, 2011): to curb the epidemic of non-infectious diseases - including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer - which is now involving low and middle income countries as well as affluent regions. Professor Martin McKee, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, explained to Peter Goodwin why the summit is needed, and what he hoped will result from it.