Chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes (also known as non-communicable diseases, NCDs) now' place the greatest demand on Colombia’s health care system, accounting for 71% of all deaths (Figure 1.5). At the same time, deaths due to communicable, maternal, perinatal or nutritional conditions (12%), and deaths due to injuries (17%) remain substantial. Cancers were the second most common cause of death, amounting to 17% of all deaths in 2012.