LONDON - A group of public health organizations said on Friday that they were concerned industries selling fatty foods, alcohol and cigarettes could hijack a United Nations meeting on how to tackle chronic disease in order to protect their own interests.

Chronic or non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, kill 36 million people a year, and health groups say the food, drinks and tobacco industries contribute significantly to that toll.

In a letter to The Lancet medical journal, more than 140 international health organizations and campaign groups said the UN should ensure that industry lobby groups are not able to manipulate the meeting on Monday and Tuesday and its outcomes.