Representatives from European countries met in Ljubljana on 22 and 23 September 2026 to strengthen cooperation on the prevention of non-communicable diseases as part of the European Joint Action PreventNCD. The meeting brought together representatives of Member States, competent authorities, the European Commission, experts and young people to discuss how to advance the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases across Europe.
The meeting took place at an important time for European public health, as the European Union is reinforcing the role of health promotion and disease prevention through Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Safe Hearts Plan and the Healthier Together initiative. Non-communicable diseases are among the leading causes of premature mortality and, according to OECD estimates, are expected to account for approximately 44 per cent of premature deaths in OECD countries by 2050. Their consequences are reflected not only in people’s health, but also in lower quality of life, reduced productivity and increased pressure on health systems.
A central focus of the two-day meeting was how knowledge, data and results from European initiatives such as JA PreventNCD can be translated into national policies, health systems and local settings. Particular attention was given to ensuring that effective approaches and collaboration developed through the Joint Action can continue beyond the lifetime of the project.
The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) leads the Sustainability Work Package within the project. Its aim is to ensure that the project's results are integrated into national policies, systems and long-term mechanisms for cooperation between Member States after the project has ended.
Key topics included nutrition, strengthening local communities, tobacco and nicotine, personalised prevention, and plans for sustainable cooperation between Member States. The results of the Slovenian mystery-shopping study on alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, led by NIJZ, were also presented.
Young people from the JA PreventNCD Youth Advisory Group, coordinated by NIJZ, contributed throughout the meeting, bringing youth perspectives into discussions on European prevention priorities, cardiovascular health and future collaboration.
The programme was framed by current European policy priorities, including the Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi contributed an opening address, alongside representatives from the Slovenian Ministry of Health, the European Commission, WHO Regional Office for Europe, OECD, JA PreventNCD and other European partners.
A key focus throughout the meeting was how Member States can translate European priorities and evidence into effective, long-term and cross-sectoral action, while ensuring that prevention remains responsive to national and local contexts.
“A healthy future requires strong policies on health promotion and disease prevention, cross-sectoral cooperation, the involvement of people, and environments in which healthy choices are easier, fairer and accessible to everyone,” said Associate Professor Mojca Gabrijelčič, PhD, Head of the Sustainability Work Package at NIJZ, summarising a central message of the meeting.