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14.10.2025
Communicating for Impact: JA PreventNCD, JACARDI and WHO Join Forces to Strengthen Health Communication in Europe
It was two inspiring days in UN City, Copenhagen, where communication teams from JA PreventNCD, JACARDI, and WHO/Europe came together with a shared mission — to be big, bold, and brave in how we communicate health. With energy, optimism, and creativity, the teams explored how to strengthen trust, reframe narratives, and drive real change in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The discussions reminded us that while our task is complex, the power of clear, positive, and collaborative communication can make a lasting difference to people’s health and wellbeing across Europe. Over the course of the two-day programme, JA PreventNCD, JACARDI, and the WHO Regional Office for Europe co-hosted two major events at UN City: From Strategy to Action: Strengthening Communication for NCD Prevention on 9 October and Communicating for Impact: Changing Health Narratives Together on 10 October. Each session gathered communicators, policymakers, and researchers to exchange insights and practical experiences, exploring how strategic storytelling, audience engagement, and trust-building can amplify the impact of public health communication and help reframe the conversation around NCD prevention across Europe.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/events/communicating-for-impact-ja-preventncd-jacardi-and-who-join-forces-to-strengthen-health-communication-in-europe/
06.10.2025
What is the role of health taxes in NCD prevention?
Health taxes are increasingly recognized as powerful tools designed to promote healthier lifestyles. By targeting products known to harm health, these taxes have the potential of changing consumer behaviour toward healthier choices. Furthermore, an opportunity for reinvestment arises for government by using the revenues for effective health prevention measures. JA PreventNCD hosted recently a webinar exploring the role of health taxation in NCD prevention. During the webinar we got a closer look on what these taxes are, and what they are not, through a historic overview. The widespread of health taxes was shown by the identification of several segments where health taxation applies, including tobacco, alcohol, sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and unhealthy foods such as High Fat Sugar and Salt-products (HFSS). Experts presented compelling evidence of the effectiveness of health taxes, while also addressing potential challenges. During this session Professor Franco Sassi, from the Imperial College, a leading economist in health policy, provided a comprehensive introduction to health taxes and their role in NCD prevention. Professor Sassi is leading the work on Health Taxation in JA PreventNCDs as a subcontractor. Michele Cecchini, responsible for the OECD programme of work on Public Health, highlighted financial and economic aspects of Health and economic deviance of health taxes. Oliver Gainford, from the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), at the European Commission shared insights into European tax policy in the European member states. The webinar was moderated by Arnfinn Helleve from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, who leads of Work Package on Regulation and Taxation in JA PreventNCD. This session is highly relevant for professionals working in public health, NCD prevention and policymaking. A full recording of the webinar is available here.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/what-is-the-role-of-health-taxes-in-ncd-prevention/
29.09.2025
Alcohol as a cross-cutting theme in preventing NCDs in Europe
The European Union is the heaviest drinking area in the world. Alcohol has been ingrained in European societies for generations, and is still an important part of traditions, celebrations, and social rituals1. Unfortunately, the health impacts and risks associated with and caused by alcohol consumption, are eventually well documented. In the WHO European Region, one in every 11 deaths is due to alcohol consumption. Alcohol can cause over 200 diseases, including seven types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, liver diseases and several infectious diseases2. Cancer is the leading cause of deaths due to alcohol in the EU, and there is no "safe level of consumption". Even moderate use of alcohol increases the long-term risk of diseases and harm3. Alcohol harms individuals, families, and communities, including those who are affected by other people's drinking, particularly children. The burden of diseases is also unequally distributed across socioeconomic groups. Individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) experience disproportionately greater alcohol-attributable health harm than individuals with high SES from similar or lower consumption4. As alcohol is integrated in culture and social life, effective prevention strategies need to be implemented across sectors, at all levels, and adopt a life-course approach. This requires multiple stakeholders and actors engaging in coordinated and joint action considering alcohol as a cross-cutting issue.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/cross-cutting-themes/alcohol-as-a-cross-cutting-theme-in-preventing-ncds-in-europe/
15.09.2025
Statement from JA PreventNCD on the Call for Evidence to the EU cardiovascular health plan
This statement and recommendations from the The Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (JA PreventNCD) respond to the Call for Evidence−Ares(2025)6517618 for the Initiative EU Cardiovascular Health Plan (CVH Plan). JA PreventNCD is funded under the EU4Health programme and brings together 25 European countries with the common goal of reducing the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), focusing on both personal and societal risk factors. The project addresses health determinants through approaches ranging from policy interventions requiring cross-country and intersectoral collaboration to be effective, through national and local interventions promoting healthy living environments, to preventive care and risk detection, including personalized prevention. Reducing gender-related, socio-economic and geographical inequalities in health is a key priority. All measures aim to protect health equity of European citizens. Furthermore, to strengthen Member States’ abilities to respond to public health challenges, it is essential to have improved data and comprehensive monitoring systems, which include monitoring health inequalities such as those found in the European Cancer Inequalities Registry. To ensure population-level impact, JA PreventNCD was designed to address structural drivers at the population level in addition to targeting high-risk individuals. While interventions across the prevention spectrum are needed, interventions targeting individuals at risk tend to require more personal buy-in, with demands on cognitive and social resources. They therefore run the risk of widening inequalities. To improve health at a population level, it is vital that activities reduce, and with certainty do not increase, health inequalities. A health equity tool is therefore applied across interventions in JA PreventNCD to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project’s activities. JA PreventNCD is a unique EU investment in health promotion, NCD prevention and better equity outcomes across Europe, generating deliverables directly relevant for the CVD Plan: monitoring tools, tested best practices, policy recommendations and governance mechanisms. JA PreventNCD recommends that the interventions and initiatives below be included in the EU CVH Plan. These will contribute to lifelong prevention of CVDs and, in many cases, they will also reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity. The activities are evidence-based and supported by the Member States in the Consortium. This statement and recommendations build on inputs received from all work packages in JA PreventNCD. The recommended interventions are structured under three main areas: Early years health promotion and CVD prevention Reaching all by implementing population-level interventions Reaching individuals at risk and supporting personalized prevention
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/policy-statements-recommendations/statement-from-ja-preventncd-on-the-call-for-evidence-to-the-eu-cardiovascular-health-plan/
02.09.2025
JA PreventNCD to Host Pre-Conference Session at the European Public Health Conference 2025
A PreventNCD is pleased to announce its active contribution to the upcoming European Public Health Conference 2025 in Helsinki. On 11 November, 13:30–17:00, the project will host a dedicated pre-conference session titled: Policies supporting NCD prevention at regional, national and local levels – effective, aligned and equitable? This session will bring together experts, policymakers, and public health professionals to explore how stronger, better-aligned policies can support the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across Europe. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions, remain the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The session will highlight how evidence-based policies can make a tangible impact in reducing these burdens, with a special focus on tobacco control, sustainable and healthy diets, health taxation measures, and equity in health outcomes. By addressing both challenges and promising practices, the discussion will provide valuable insights into how regional, national, and local policies can work together to build healthier and fairer societies. Read the full pre-conference programme More information about registration We look forward to welcoming participants in Helsinki for this important exchange of knowledge and perspectives.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/events/ja-preventncd-to-host-pre-conference-session-at-the-european-public-health-conference-2025/
01.07.2025
From evidence to impact: a united call for equity-driven and sustainable action on NCDs
JACARDI, JA PreventNCD, WHO Europe, OECD and the European Commission’s DG SANTE have published a joint Comment in The Lancet Regional Health, based on the findings of the newly published report ‘Avoidable mortality, risk factors and policies for tackling NCDs: leveraging data for impact’, by WHO Europe. The Comment underscores the critical role of cross-national collaboration in translating WHO findings into actionable policies, with a focus on equity, data-driven solutions, and integrated care pathways. These organizations call for an accelerated, harmonised and equity-driven European agenda on non-communicable diseases.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/press-releases/from-evidence-to-impact-a-united-call-for-equity-driven-and-sustainable-action-on-ncds/
24.06.2025
Highlights from the JA PreventNCD annual meeting in Katowice, Poland
The JA PreventNCD project is gaining momentum across Europe, with several concrete outputs already taking shape. The project annual meeting took place on June 16-17 in Katowice, Poland. While priorities are shifting in today’s complex landscape, the prevention of noncommunicable diseases remains a top priority. Tackling persistent health inequalities and addressing social and commercial determinants of health in a structural way were highlighted as urgent tasks. Partners also emphasised the need to institutionalise stakeholder, youth, and population engagement, alongside strengthening monitoring systems as a basis for prioritising action. Evaluation and sustainability work is advancing steadily, ensuring the long-term impact of this collaborative effort.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/highlights-from-the-ja-preventncd-annual-meeting-in-katowice-poland/