NCDs account for some 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden in the WHO European Region - very disturbing statistics, especially given the fact that these diseases are largely preventable.
Noncommunicable diseases are a group of conditions that include cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health problems, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease and musculoskeletal conditions.
This broad group is linked certain elements, including common risk factors, underlying determinants and opportunities for intervention. It is these elements that the Strategy explores and decribes.
The goal of the Strategy is to "avoid premature death and significantly reduce the disease burden from NCD, improving quality of life and making healthy life expectancy more equitable within and between Member States in Europe".
Essentially, the Strategy promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach which:
promotes population-level health promotion and disease prevention programmes;
actively targets groups and individuals at high risk; and
maximizes population coverage of effective treatment and care, while systematically integrating policy and action to reduce inequalities in health.
The framework for action looks at a number of aspects including advocoacy, knowledge, regulation and financing, capacities, communicty support and health service delivery. Clearly, these aspects aspects of the proposed framework are of direct relevance to NGOs and other stakeholders working in public health, particularly given the practical action-based nature of Strategy.
The Strategy was first developed in 2004 through an extensive consultation process with countries, experts, nongovernmental organisations and other stakeholders. See link below on the UK Public Health Association’s participation.
The Strategy was put under the spotlight again in the 2006 at the Fifty-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe when Ministers of health adopted the European Strategy.
Related Links:
WHO urges for action against preventable chronic diseases
