Prevention of noncommunicable diseases: Where we are and what’s next in the WHO European region?

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for the majority of mortality and morbidity in the World Health Organization (WHO) European region, largely driven by modifiable commercial determinants. Despite strong evidence supporting cost-effective interventions, implementation has been inconsistent due to industry interference, limited resources and policy inertia. To address this, WHO/Europe has identified a set of ‘quick buys’ capable of producing measurable health outcomes within 5 years. Experience shows that voluntary measures, pilot projects and the exchange of good practices alone are insufficient to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, making mandatory, well-enforced policies urgently needed to deliver the scale and speed of change required. As the 2030 SDG deadline approaches, accelerating policy action, strengthening surveillance systems and safeguarding public health governance from commercial interests are essential to reducing the NCD burden and achieving regional health targets.