News

Member States urged to ramp up fight against noncommunicable diseases 12-04-2019

Governments in WHO Member States must implement existing policies and set ambitious goals at national level if they are to live up to their commitment to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the WHO European Region. That was the message from speakers and participants at the plenary session of the WHO European High-level Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on 9–10 April 2019.

WHO walks the talk at the High-level Conference in Ashgabat 11-04-2019

WHO walked the talk in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, at the WHO European High-level Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases with healthy food and physical activity.

WHO urges stronger action to reduce deaths from noncommunicable diseases in Europe by one third 09-04-2019

WHO “best buys” – targeted policy interventions aimed at reducing the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – can be a game-changer for achieving target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through which governments have committed to reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one third by 2030. The interventions range from policies that promote physical activity and curb tobacco and alcohol consumption, to reducing salt and sugar and eliminating trans-fats in food. The actions countries can take to achieve the target will be in focus at the WHO European High-level Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases taking place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 9–10 April 2019.

The Conference kicked off with 65 national and international journalists attending a briefing 09-04-2019

The WHO European High-level Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan kicked off with 65 national and international journalists attending a briefing on the key issues of the Conference. With this introduction, journalists have a better understanding of the main conference topics and how the European Region is doing in terms of implementing the Best Buys and reaching Sustainable Development Goal 3.4.

Designing care together with and centred around people: July’s story 05-04-2019

It is a grey and drizzly day in northern Belgium. Sharon Vandemaele drives up to her client July’s home, is met with a smile and invited into the living room, where a warm fire is blazing. On some days, July may choose to sit in her favourite corner on the sofa for this meeting. But today, July prefers to sit at her table, where, over a cup of coffee, they talk about how July is feeling, her health needs and any adjustments to her current care plan.

Noncommunicable diseases and air pollution 29-03-2019

Tackling air pollution is a key factor in reducing premature mortality. Indeed, air pollution was included as a fifth risk factor for NCDs at the United Nations High-level Meeting on NCDs in September 2018. Acknowledging this, a policy paper was prepared as a background document for the WHO European High-level Conference on NCDs in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Integrating the prevention, treatment and care of mental health conditions and other NCDs within health systems 27-03-2019

Mental health conditions affect 1 in every 10 people at any given time. They also account for a large proportion of the nonfatal disease burden due to their frequency, their chronic nature and their disabling effects, according to WHO.  A short policy paper prepared for the WHO European High-level Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, outlines pathways to more integrated planning for mental health and NCDs.

A multilevel governance approach to preventing and managing NCDs: the role of cities and urban settings 27-03-2019

More than half the world’s population lives in an urban setting, which means that city and municipal governments are well placed to intensify the battle against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Countries demonstrate their commitment to deliver on fighting noncommunicable diseases 25-03-2019

Forty-four countries have now registered to attend the High-level Conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on 9–10 April.

New WHO factsheets reveal Europe struggles to implement policies to reduce alcohol consumption 31-01-2019

The WHO European Region struggles with one of the highest levels of alcohol-related deaths in the world. To discuss effective and evidence-based ways to reverse this trend, Member States met in Stockholm, Sweden, at the first regional consultation focused on the implementation of the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020.

Award-winning study driven by WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative 30-01-2019

World Cancer Day: action for protection against cervical cancer 29-01-2019

Cervical cancer is among the most common types of cancer affecting women in the WHO European Region, with 69 000 new cases and 30 000 deaths estimated for 2018 alone. Yet unlike most other types of cancer, it is vaccine-preventable.

Danish health literacy campaign restores confidence in HPV vaccination 28-01-2019

Danish health authorities have launched a media campaign to restore public confidence in response to negative media reports questioning the safety of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and a related decline in the number of teenage girls getting it. The vaccine protects against cervical cancer.

Migrants and refugees at higher risk of developing ill health than host populations, reveals first-ever WHO report on the health of displaced people in Europe 21-01-2019

Migrants and refugees are likely to have good general health, but they can be at risk of falling sick in transition or while staying in receiving countries due to poor living conditions or adjustments in their lifestyle. This is the main conclusion of the first “Report on the health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region”, released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe today.

Portuguese Health Literacy Action Plan helps people to help themselves 18-01-2019

In a bid to improve the ability of individuals to access, understand and use correct information to maintain good health, Portugal has initiated a Health Literacy Action Plan, which encourages the active participation of its citizens in health-care decisions.

WHO launches awareness campaign on social inclusion for people with mental disabilities in Turkey 16-01-2019

People with mental disabilities can face high levels of discrimination in society if the stigma that surrounds mental illness is not addressed and challenged. WHO is committed to ensuring that such people are socially included. A project, co-funded by the European Union and WHO, is set to break down the barriers against inclusion of people with mental disabilities in Turkey.

Imagining a better world through the SDGs 15-01-2019

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development helps us to imagine a better world, one where there is peace, partnership and prosperity for everybody and for the planet. But the 2030 Agenda goes beyond imagination to provide a blueprint for actually achieving this vision.

Every day, about 800 people in Europe die from alcohol-attributable causes 11-01-2019

According to a recently published WHO fact sheet, Europe is still challenged by the need to reduce the burden of alcohol. Levels of alcohol consumption, and harm attributable to alcohol, remain very high – causing about 800 deaths a day.

2018: The WHO European Region’s Year in Review 21-12-2018

The year 2018 was a momentous one for WHO, which celebrated 70 years of working to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Here is a look back at some of the key moments from the year – highlighting both country-level activities and the collective achievements of the Region, but also emphasizing areas where continued work and even accelerated efforts will be needed to make progress.

European Salt Action Network restates its support for WHO goal of reducing salt intake to 5 g per day or less 20-12-2018

The WHO European Salt Action Network (ESAN) has issued an authoritative statement in support of population approaches for salt reduction to prevent cardiovascular diseases. This comes in the wake of recent studies that have generated controversy by suggesting that a reduction in salt consumption towards 5 g per day may be dangerous and lead to cardiovascular events. This suggestion contradicts the recommendations set by the WHO, and the consensus among Member States, for a 30% reduction in salt consumption by 2025 aiming at a final goal of no more than 5 g per day.

WHO launches technical guidance series on the health of refugees and migrants 18-12-2018

WHO is marking International Migrants Day on 18 December 2018 with the launch of a technical guidance series on the health of refugees and migrants. Produced in collaboration with the European Commission, each publication addresses a specific aspect of the health of refugees and migrants by providing tools, case studies and evidence to inform practices and policies to improve their health.

WHO supports Russian Federation university to encourage students to quit smoking 04-12-2018

On the occasion of Quit Smoking Day, which is traditionally marked on the third Thursday of November, a student action team at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation organized a 1-week campaign to encourage students to quit smoking. WHO supported this initiative by providing smoke analysers, communication materials and visual tools.