Monitoring and surveillance
WHO
Importance of high-quality NCD information
To be effective, strategies for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) need to be based on reliable and up-to-date information. WHO helps countries develop and improve surveillance and monitoring systems that can generate high-quality, properly validated data on the main determinants, risk factors, and mortality and morbidity burden of NCDs. These inform policy-making to halt NCDs.
As data should be comparable across countries, WHO works to improve and harmonize indicators within countries and across the WHO European Region. This enables internationally comparable assessments over time.
NCD surveillance hub in Moscow
The NCD surveillance hub for the entire Region is based at and coordinated from the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Office) in Moscow, Russian Federation. Its key functions are to:
- strengthen the NCD information base on both the current situation and future trends;
- provide evidence for policy at both national and regional levels; and
- contribute to capacity-building on assessing and using NCD information.
How the NCD Office is making an impact
The field of surveillance is evolving rapidly. The NCD Office offers policy-makers opportunities to strengthen their approach to the prevention of NCDs by collecting high-quality data, conducting accurate analyses, and promoting good practices in prevention, surveillance, treatment and monitoring.
The reports generated by the NCD Office contribute to monitoring the status of NCD policy implementation. They provide examples of good practices and in-depth analyses of the effects on population health of selected country policies, programmes and interventions. These reports are used for decision-making and programme development.
The NCD Office presents innovative and integrated datasets, dynamic analytical tools and digital data visualization for policy-makers and relevant stakeholders that can also be adopted internationally. The use of common protocols and tools, tailored to the needs of countries, also allows for the comparison of international trends over time.
Country situation analyses add further value by helping to trigger country responses and action. The NCD Office is instrumental in bringing professionals together from across the Region to exchange experience, keep up to date, learn new skills and generate further momentum in their work.
