Fact sheet on the SDGs: Noncommunicable diseases (2017)
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, and one of the major challenges for sustainable development in the 21st century. Although there has been a clear decline in premature deaths due to NCDs since the mid 2000s in the WHO European Region, the situation is still alarming: the Region still has the highest burden of NCDs. Action is necessary across all sectors and settings to prevent and control NCDs. This fact sheet includes facts and figures, outlines the challenges, charts indicators of progress and shares commitments made by Member States to tackle this issue.