Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in the European Region of WHO Zsuzsanna Jakab Regional Director WHO – Regional Office for Europe

Deaths in EURO due to selected risk factors in 2004

Making progress - examples Highlights in tobacco control 46 countries and the European Community have ratified the WHO FCTC 7 countries in the region are not yet Parties to the treaty (23 countries globally) Several countries in the region are global leaders in tobacco control such as Ireland, United Kingdom and Turkey in 100% smoke-free public places; Belgium, United Kingdom and Romania in pictorial health warnings etc.

Source: WHO Global NCD InfoBase, Prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 ) among adult males, projections for 2010

Formidable agenda for action Place and maintain prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD), high on the political, social and development agendas Develop partnerships across sectors and integrated approaches: –tackling obesity and unhealthy lifestyles –implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control –understanding and acting on the social determinants of health –addressing health inequalities and the needs of vulnerable groups –creating environment supportive of healthy living Develop scientific evidence and effective interventions to inform decision-making and priority setting and support implementation of actions Strengthen health systems’ capacity to improve prevention and control: –emphasis on stewardship and service delivery for appropriate patient-focused control, management and care

Regional commitments Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in the WHO European Region (RC56 Resolution) Prevention of injuries in the WHO European Region (RC55 Resolution) Framework for alcohol policy in the WHO European Region (RC55 Resolution) The Mental Health Declaration – Helsinki 2005 WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity 2006 – Istanbul Charter

Making progress on the policy front 32 Member States have national policies for NCD prevention and control. 47 Member States have developed nutrition policies, including 39 with policies on physical activity. 46 Member States have ratified the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. 60% of Member States have integrated policies for unintentional injury prevention, and 46% for violence prevention.

WHO - The way forward… Scale up work for comprehensive and integrated approaches Develop integrated NCD Regional Action Plan to be endorsed at Regional Committee in 2011 Develop an European Alcohol Action Plan to be endorsed at Regional Committee in 2011 Focus on target groups and individuals at high risk, and address social determinants and health inequalities Renew commitment to health promotion Strengthen health systems’ functions and capacity Develop effective collaboration with other sectors in multi-sectorial responses Strengthen partnership with international agencies, the EU and Member States committed to prevention and control