The World Bank says people living in South Asia are facing a health crisis from non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect poor families. In a report released today, the World Bank said South Asia has rising rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and that people in the region suffer their first heart attack six years younger than other groups around the world. The report said South Asians have high levels of risk factors for heart attacks, including low levels of physical activity and unhealthy diets. World Bank officials said the diseases hurt the poor who have to pay for their own medical care while being too sick to work. The report has recommended that countries in the region should work together to create health policies aimed at reducing unhealthy risk factors. The World Bank said South Asia should create a regional approach to educating and training doctors and nurses to address a chronic shortage of medical personnel. It highlighted the need for standard food and tobacco labeling, and limiting tobacco advertising. The World Bank has recommended that countries collaborate in buying medications, using bulk purchasing to bring down costs while providing care to more people.