New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS): A youth signature campaign was launched in the capital Thursday to create awareness on non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Non-communicable diseases include diabetes, cancer, stroke, mental health disorders, heart and chronic respiratory diseases.

The campaign will sensitise about NCDs and bring together youth from over 300 schools and 20 colleges across Delhi and an online petition would also be hosted.

"Youth involvement is critical for the success of any movement. The youth will urge the government to call for concerted and collective action to quell the dangers of NCDs," said Amit Yadav of Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth (HRIDAY), a voluntary organisation working to prevent NCDs.

"NCDs are majorly preventable and can be countered through healthy lifestyle. The campaign will culminate on World Cancer Day (Feb 4, 2014) where the signature will be presented to policy makers," added Yadav.

Research estimates that by 2020, NCDs in India will rise to 7.63 million and cost India Rs.126 trillion by 2030.