Varna develops a regional strategy and action plan on chronic disease prevention

The regional working group on chronic disease prevention in Varna, Bulgaria met in November 2014 to discuss the national programme for chronic disease prevention 2014–2020 and its potential regional implications. The meeting took place at the Regional Health Institute in Varna and was attended by a diverse range of professionals including political and technical representatives from regional and local health authorities, associations and nongovernmental organizations and academia.

Preventing chronic diseases in Varna for 2015–2020

The meeting included:

• an overview of the current Bulgarian national programme for chronic disease prevention;
• results from a pilot survey assessing the risk factors for chronic diseases among different age groups in a sample population from the Varna region; and
• activities undertaken during the previous year to promote healthy diet among children and prevent tobacco use among young people.

As a result of these discussions, it was agreed that a process of developing a regional strategy and an action plan for Varna should be in line with the national programme for 2015–2020. These documents will be widely distributed and discussed among all involved parties by March 2015 when the next meeting of the regional working group will take place and the regional strategy and action plan will be officially approved.