Noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are among the greatest health challenges facing Europe today. They account for the majority of deaths and a significant proportion of health problems that affect the quality of life of millions of people. The good news is that many of these diseases can be prevented. Prevention is not simply about treating the consequences of a problem, but above all about taking action to help people maintain their health throughout their lives.
In the European Union, as many as 91% of all deaths are associated with noncommunicable diseases (1)Experts also estimate that up to 1.8 million deaths could be prevented each year in the WHO European Region.Around 60% of these are linked to risk factors that can be addressed through appropriate preventive measures and health policies (2)Our health depends not only on individual decisions. It is also influenced by the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and spend our free time. These conditions can either make it easier or more difficult to make healthy choices every day.
Health Is More Than an Individual Choice It is often said that our health depends on the choices we make.
Health is not the result of individual choices only. It is also shaped by the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and grow older (3). Whether there are green spaces, cycling paths, and affordable healthy food nearby, as well as how schools, workplaces, and local communities operate, can make it easier or more difficult to make healthy choices every day.
As part of the JA PreventNCD project, particular attention is given to four areas that have a significant impact on health and the risk of developing noncommunicable diseases: 🍎 Nutrition 🚶 Physical activity 🍷 Alcohol 🚭 Tobacco and nicotine
Our Goal More effective action on alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, nutrition, and physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other noncommunicable diseases. Prevention works best when it combines knowledge and individual action with solutions that support health in schools, workplaces, local communities, and healthcare systems. Healthy choices should be easy, accessible, and achievable for everyone.
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Find out how everyday choices and the conditions in which we live affect our health, and what you can do to help create a healthier environment in your community.
Would You Like to Learn More? Additional resources, scientific evidence, and recommendations on measures related to nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, and tobacco and nicotine are available on the JA PreventNCD project webpage. Including information for citizens, public health professionals, and policymakers. Sources 1. EU burden from non-communicable diseases and keyrisk factors | Knowledge4Policy (K4P) 2. Avoidable mortality, risk factors and policies for tackling noncommunicable diseases – leveraging data for impact: monitoring commitments in the WHO European Region ahead of the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting 3. Social determinants of health