Scandinavian Journal of Public Health : Development of a harmonized approach for healthier living environments in European local communities through JApreventNCD: Closing the gap between research and practice
Joint Action PreventNCD implements local interventions that promote health and reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases, using a flexible "Community Action for Health" methodology. The project includes 51 interventions, an online platform, and the creation of sustainable structures to support cross-sector collaboration and long-term public health outcomes.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health : A novel and evidence-informed approach to project sustainability: Maximizing long-term impacts of the Joint Action PreventNCD
A new evidence-based approach aims to ensure the sustainability of the PreventNCD project by incorporating policy mechanisms and accountability. Youth engagement, wellbeing economy, and actions supporting long-term public health outcomes are of key importance.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Special issue: Non-communicable disease prevention and health promotion across Europe
Articles presenting the latest analyses, challenges, and recommendations for health policy.
The growing number of older people, regional and social inequalities, and high exposure to risk factors require coordinated actions in prevention, early detection, integrated care, and the use of digital technologies to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health: Health and health equity in policymaking across sectors: Identifying opportunities and challenges in implementing Health in All Policies
Integrating health and health equity into policies across different sectors requires collaboration, dialogue, and tools that support evidence-based decision-making. Analyzing current practices, identifying barriers, and developing recommendations and tools — such as health impact assessments or wellbeing budgeting — aim to help create fairer and more effective policies.
The Lancet Regional Health Europe: Strengthening non-communicable diseases monitoring systems in Europe through a multistakeholder collaborative approach: a key priority for advancing data-driven policymaking
Strengthening systems for monitoring non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe — through collaboration between governments, health organizations, and other stakeholders — is crucial for improving public health. Better data collection and sharing will enable evidence-based policymaking, reduce health inequalities, and support preventive strategies.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health: Advancing the monitoring of non-communicable diseases to support prevention strategies in the Joint Action PreventNCD: Challenges and opportunities
As part of JA PreventNCD, systems for monitoring non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe have been improved — through harmonizing methods, strengthening data interoperability, and facilitating knowledge exchange between countries. This creates a stronger evidence base for prevention strategies, making it easier to implement effective preventive measures and reduce health inequalities.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health: Strategic communication for NCD prevention: Enhancing visibility, engagement and policy action in Europe
Well-planned, collaborative and evidence-based communication can significantly strengthen the visibility of actions for non-communicable disease prevention in Europe — it facilitates partner cooperation, engages stakeholders and increases influence on policy decisions. This enables the JA PreventNCD project to more effectively promote public health and reduce inequalities in access to prevention.
The evaluation framework for JA PreventNCD supports assessing the effectiveness of actions undertaken across Europe. The model combines various research methods to measure progress, implementation quality, and the impact of interventions on health policies and public health. This helps Member States better understand which solutions work and how to implement them effectively to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health: Strengthening population and organizational health literacy to reduce social inequalities within the JA PreventNCD
JA PreventNCD supports European countries in more effectively implementing health policies. The project focuses on regulatory and fiscal measures related to alcohol, tobacco, food and the environment, promoting evidence-based solutions. Its goal is to improve population health and reduce social inequalities through coherent and effective interventions.
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health: Scaling up non-communicable disease prevention and health promotion across Europe
Joint Action PreventNCD supports EU countries, Iceland, Norway and Ukraine in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, which account for more than two-thirds of the disease burden in Europe. A large part of this health challenge is preventable, and the initiative focuses on reducing risk factors, strengthening health protection and addressing social inequalities, while promoting effective policies and sustainable mechanisms that support health and quality of life.
The Lancet Regional Health Europe: Advancing Europe's non-communicable diseases agenda through cross-national collaboration: translating WHO-Europe findings into actionable strategies
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and premature death in Europe, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems and societies. The latest WHO report for the European Region highlights concerning trends, including a slowdown in the decline of premature mortality since 2014 and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been a decrease in tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and hypertension, the number of cases of obesity and diabetes is rising, and the implementation of health policies has stalled. The European Union is responding to these challenges through initiatives such as Healthier Together, the European Beating Cancer Plan, and joint actions JACARDI and JA PreventNCD, which strengthen prevention and patient care. To accelerate progress and achieve health goals by 2025, data-driven strategies that consider health equity and coherent public policy are essential.
wKatowicach.eu: Together Against Non-Communicable Diseases in Europe – JA PreventNCD Meeting at the International Congress Centre in Katowice
On June 16–18, 2025, the Annual Meeting of JA PreventNCD took place at the International Congress Centre in Katowice, combined with the closing of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council and the second meeting of the EU-CNCD Consortium. The event gathered around 400 participants from 25 EU countries, including representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Medical University of Silesia, and experts in the field of non-communicable disease prevention. The meeting aimed to exchange experiences and develop effective strategies for the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Notable guests included Prof. Tomasz Szczepański, Rector of the Medical University of Silesia, Senator Beata Małecka-Libera, Dr Linda Granlund, JA PreventNCD Project Coordinator. The event also showcased Katowice’s achievements in public health, including preventive programmes and infrastructure supporting physical activity.
Rynek Zdrowia: Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease. EU Experts Debate Prevention in Katowice
Katowice hosted an EU-level discussion on prevention and public health. The event brought together representatives from the European Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Medical University of Silesia, and other institutions involved in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The meeting aimed to exchange experiences and discuss actions to improve public health across Europe.
Telewizja Zabrze: Together Against Non-Communicable Diseases in Europe
Between 16 and 18 June 2025, the JA PreventNCD project meeting was held at the International Congress Centre in Katowice, focusing on the prevention of non-communicable diseases, including cancer. The event brought together experts from Poland and across Europe to discuss the project’s progress to date and the ongoing challenges in public health.
We invite you to watch the press conference from the event.
European Comission: JA PreventNCD
JA PreventNCD is an EU-funded project taking place from 2024 to 2027. Its goal is to reduce the incidence of cancer and other non-communicable diseases through effective, coordinated preventive actions. The project supports member states in implementing proven public health strategies, taking into account fiscal, environmental, and educational policies.
Nauka w Polsce: Medical University of Silesia is the main partner of the JA PreventNCD project
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice was appointed by the Minister of Health as the main partner of the European JA PreventNCD project, aimed at the prevention of cancer and chronic diseases. Medical University of Silesia is responsible, among other things, for creating a health-promoting environment and coordinating the platform that collects data from over 50 pilot interventions carried out in 25 EU countries.
