This JA PreventNCD report examines how health equity is reflected in national policies on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their major behavioural risk factors across 17 European countries.
Based on 87 questionnaires completed by national policy experts, the study covers policies relating to tobacco, alcohol, diet and nutrition, physical activity, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other NCDs.
The findings show that health inequities are widely recognised in national policy documents, with many including measures intended to address them. However, only around half of the policy documents examined include routine monitoring of inequities. Equity considerations are also less consistently integrated into NCD policies than into those addressing behavioural risk factors.
The report highlights the need to move beyond recognising health inequities towards concrete actions, systematic monitoring and stronger cooperation across sectors. It provides recommendations at both European and national levels to strengthen the integration of health equity into future policies.
Download the full report for the main findings and recommendations, or explore the accompanying appendices for detailed results and methodological information.