Throughout October 2026, JA PreventNCD partners met in Denmark, France and Iceland to review progress, exchange experiences and explore how ongoing activities can support more effective prevention policies across Europe.
The three meetings focused on different but interconnected areas of the Joint Action's work: strengthening the monitoring of non-communicable diseases, creating healthier urban environments and reducing social inequalities in health. Across all three, a common priority was how to turn emerging results and practical experiences into approaches that can be sustained and used beyond the project.
From the meeting in Odense, Denmark
Strengthening disease monitoring in Odense, Denmark
On 8–9 October, partners working on disease monitoring met in Odense, Denmark, to review progress in strengthening the monitoring of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases across Europe.
Discussions focused on improving the monitoring of risk factors, harmonising health data, strengthening risk assessment methods and modelling healthcare costs.
Partners also shared progress from pilot activities testing innovative approaches to disease monitoring and prevention. These activities can help inform how countries collect and use health information to guide prevention efforts and public health decisions.
The meeting was hosted by the Region of Southern Denmark.
From the meeting in Rennes, France
From pilot projects to healthier cities in Rennes, France
On 19–20 October, partners working on healthy urban environments met at the French School of Public Health (EHESP) in Rennes to exchange experiences from pilot activities and discuss how their results can support healthier urban planning.
The meeting explored approaches ranging from nature-based solutions and green spaces to playgrounds, schoolyards, children's participation and car-free school environments.
Charlotte Marchandise, Executive Director of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), opened the meeting with a keynote titled Health Is a Political Choice. She highlighted how evidence must be connected with public opinion, lived experiences and political priorities to support meaningful change.
Through a World Café discussion, partners exchanged practical experiences on citizen participation, cooperation across sectors and equity. The programme also included contributions from the European project Just Streets and a site visit to the urban regeneration project in Maurepas–Gros Chêne, offering a practical example of equitable urban planning.
Discussions also explored how experiences and lessons from the pilots can be integrated into the forthcoming Healthy City Toolbox, helping make these approaches accessible and useful to others.
From the meeting in Reykjavík, Iceland
Addressing social inequalities in health in Reykjavík, Iceland
On 20–21 October, partners working on reducing social inequalities in health met in Reykjavík for their third annual in-person meeting.
The two-day programme reviewed progress in monitoring health inequalities, policy action and health literacy, alongside 22 pilot activities addressing these areas and supporting populations in vulnerable situations.
With initial results emerging, discussions increasingly focused on how findings can inform policy recommendations and support sustainable action beyond the project.
A dedicated policy brief workshop explored how evidence and practical experiences can be communicated to policymakers. Partners also considered opportunities to connect their results with wider European policy priorities, including the EU Safe Hearts Plan.
Connecting results with policy and practice
Although the three meetings addressed different areas of prevention, they reflected a shared challenge: ensuring that knowledge and practical experiences lead to lasting improvements in public health.
As JA PreventNCD prepares to enter its final year in 2027, translating the results of pilot activities into practical resources, policy recommendations and approaches that can be taken up by others will become increasingly important.
The exchanges in Odense, Rennes and Reykjavík represent another step towards that goal, strengthening cooperation across the project and supporting its wider ambition to make prevention more effective and equitable across Europe.