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07.05.2025
JA PreventNCD Participates in OECD Policy Dialogue on Cardiovascular Disease in the EU
On 5 May 2025, JA PreventNCD participated in the OECD Policy Dialogue on the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in the EU, held in Paris, France. The event was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen European and broader international approaches to preventing and managing CVD. Hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the meeting brought together a broad group of stakeholders, including representatives from governments across the EU and other OECD countries, as well as civil society organisations and intergovernmental bodies. The aim of the dialogue was to inform a forthcoming OECD report exploring how countries are addressing the burden of CVD — Europe’s leading cause of death — and what more can be done to improve both population-level and individual health outcomes. To ensure that stakeholder priorities are reflected in the report, several organisations and projects were invited to contribute, including JA PreventNCD and JACARDI. Both initiatives were asked to share their perspectives and priorities related to reducing the burden of CVD and improving health outcomes across Europe. As a joint action co-funded by the European Union with over 100 partner organisations in 25 countries, JA PreventNCD was pleased to provide insights on the prevention of CVD as part of its broader mission to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Linda Granlund, Project Coordinator of JA PreventNCD and Director of Public Health at the Norwegian Directorate of Health, presented the project’s current work and strategic approach. She underscored the importance of addressing shared risk factors, such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, which contribute to both cardiovascular diseases and other NCDs. She also highlighted the critical role of policy-based and population-level approaches in reducing risk and improving health equity. JA PreventNCD welcomes the OECD’s focus on this topic and will continue to follow the development of the report, contributing relevant experiences and insights from our ongoing work whenever invited.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/ja-preventncd-participates-in-oecd-policy-dialogue-on-cardiovascular-disease-in-the-eu/
26.03.2025
Quick Buys for Long-Term Gains: WHO Identifies 25 Fast-Acting Policies to Reduce the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases
The global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses continues to rise, placing immense pressure on health systems, economies, and communities. In the WHO European Region, NCDs account for the vast majority of deaths and represent one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For over a decade, the WHO has recommended a package of “best buys” evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to reduce exposure to the key NCD risk factors: tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. Yet, the implementation of these best buys has been slow and uneven across countries, and progress toward global targets remains off track. To bridge the gap between policy and action, a new publication from WHO/Europe introduces the concept of “Quick Buys” a refined set of interventions that deliver measurable population health impacts within five years, aligning with typical political and electoral cycles. “Policymakers often face short time horizons. This can be a barrier to adopting NCD policies that are perceived to take too long to show results. The Quick Buys address that by identifying interventions that are not only effective and affordable but also fast-acting.”— Dr. Kremlin Wickramasinghe, WHO Europe What Are Quick Buys? Selected based on strong evidence and their ability to show results within five years, these interventions focus on reducing exposure to risk factors and improving treatment outcomes. Here are some key examples: Tobacco & Alcohol Control Smoke-free laws and increased tobacco taxes have immediate effects on health outcomes. Alcohol tax increases and advertising bans reduce total consumption quickly. Healthier Diets Front-of-pack nutrition labels help consumers make better choices immediately. Mass media campaigns promoting healthy eating show effects within 3 years. Chronic Disease Treatment Hypertension treatment can lower cardiovascular risk within 10 days. Early diabetes control and statin use reduce mortality and complications rapidly. Cancer Prevention HPV vaccination for girls and early cervical cancer screening have immediate population-level impact. JA PreventNCD Supports Swift Action on NCDs As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, including Target 3.4 (reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third), countries must accelerate implementation. Yet policymakers are frequently constrained by political realities: budgets, lobbying pressures, and election cycles. The WHO Quick Buys aim to shift the conversation: away from long-term, abstract benefits toward concrete, near-term health gains. These interventions show that real progress is possible within a single electoral term, offering a politically feasible pathway to meet global health targets. “These Quick Buys show that investing in prevention doesn’t have to mean waiting decades to see results. With the right political will and intersectoral collaboration, countries can deliver real, measurable health benefits within five years—and JA PreventNCD is working to make that happen,”- Knut-Inge Klepp, Scientific Coordinator, JA PreventNCD. For countries participating in the JA PreventNCD, the Quick Buys offer a credible set of policy options to prioritize based on evidence and impact. They also provide a practical pathway to demonstrate early success showing measurable health improvements within a few years while continuing to build momentum for broader, long-term reforms. The JA PreventNCD was represented by Hanna Tolonen, leader of the Health in All Policies work in JA PreventNCD at the event. She highlighted the critical role of monitoring systems in ensuring the effectiveness and equity of public health interventions, allowing us to track progress and make informed decisions about where to focus future efforts. In public health, time matters The new Quick Buys framework doesn’t replace the need for long-term investment, but it shows that smart policy decisions can have swift, measurable, and lasting effects. For countries seeking to meet their commitments under the SDGs and reduce the burden of NCDs, these 25 interventions offer a clear place to start today. Access the full study in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe:Quick Buys for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, March 2025DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101281
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/quick-buys-for-long-term-gains-who-identifies-25-fast-acting-policies-to-reduce-the-burden-of-non-communicable-diseases/
17.03.2025
JA PreventNCD Welcomes the Launch of the MEP Interest Group
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain one of the greatest public health challenges in Europe. It causes 80% of deaths in the EU and take up to 10% of the GDP spent on healthcare, yet only 3% of health budgets go to prevention, even though prevention could reduce the burden by up to 70%. In February, the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) Interest Group on Health Inequalities, Prevention and Risk Factors was launched. This marks a significant step forward in addressing the NCD challenges and advancing evidence-based policy measures to tackle the disease burden. The event was well attended by MEPs, representatives from Member States, the World Health Organization (WHO), and civil society. JA PreventNCD was represented by leader of Work Package on Regulation and Taxation, Arnfinn Helleve from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and co-leader of Work Package on Sustainability, Gabrielle Schittecatte from Sciencano, Belgium. The interest group is led by a dedicated team of MEP Co-Chairs: • Vytenis Andriukaitis (S&D) • Manuela Ripa (EPP) • Vlad Voiculescu (Renew) • Ignazio Marino (Greens/EFA) • Aurelijus Veryga (ECR) • Ondřej Dostál (Non-attached) The JA PreventNCD project recognizes the critical role of political commitment in driving policy change. As Arnfinn Helleve, emphasizes: "Engaging with policy decision-makers at both the EU and Member State levels is essential for the success of the JA PreventNCD project. The newly established MEP interest group will be a key ally in our efforts. We hope to serve as a bridge between parliamentary groups and Member States to drive impactful policy change in NCD prevention." This initiative arrives at a crucial time when many public health policies face strong opposition from well-organized commercial interest groups. Industries with vested interests often lobby against regulatory measures designed to reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, improve nutrition, and promote healthier lifestyles. Helleve underscores this concern: "There are many strong interest groups actively lobbying against policy initiatives aimed at preventing NCDs. Initiatives like the new MEP Interest Group are crucial to ensuring that public health policy discussions are protected from interference from commercial interests."
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/ja-preventncd-welcomes-the-launch-of-the-mep-interest-group/
07.03.2025
Advancing NCD Prevention: Key Takeaways from the Budapest ExCo Meeting
The first in-person meeting of the JA PreventNCD Executive Committee (ExCo) External Advisory Board (EEAB) meetings of 2025 were held on March 5-6, at the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) in Budapest, Hungary. These meetings are milestones for the project, bringing together work package (WP) leaders, the EEAB members and the project’s coordinators of cross-cutting themes, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco to discuss progress, challenges and the way forward. Day 1: Strategic Discussions and Project Outcomes The meeting began with a warm welcome from Dr. Orsolya Surján, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NNGYK, alongside Dr. Krisztina Biró Ministry of Interior, Department for Health Policy and JA PreventNCD coordinators Prof. Knut-Inge Klepp and Dr. Linda Granlund. The morning sessions focused on sustainability and best practices, with expert insights from the European Commission, WHO, and OECD on leveraging EU Best Practice Portals and WHO Best Buys for effective NCD prevention strategies. Presentations from Dr. Gauden Galea and Dr. Marion Devaux emphasized the importance of policy-driven, evidence-based approaches to public health challenges. Throughout the day, discussions covered key project outcomes and expected 2025 outputs, with leaders working on regulation and taxation, health in all policies, identifying individuals at risk, social inequalities, healthy living environments monitoring. Additionally, the participants discussed sustainability and long-term strategies for maintaining project impact beyond the Joint Action’s duration. Day 2: Evaluation, Communication, and Future Strategies Day two focused on project evaluation, covering key outcomes, methodologies, and plans for selecting implementation case studies. Later in the morning, updates on communication strategies, stakeholder mapping, and private sector involvement were shared, followed by a surprise segment and a group photo. The afternoon featured parallel meetings, with the ExCo addressing reporting, thematic coordination, and risk monitoring, while the EEAB held its own discussions. The meeting concluded with feedback from EEAB members, final reflections, and a discussion on the next steps for JA PreventNCD presented by the Chair of the Board Prof. Harry Rutter. Looking Ahead The Budapest ExCo and EEAB meetings reinforced the project’s commitment to advancing NCD prevention in Europe. With a strong foundation in place, discussions focused on how to move forward, improve strategies, and maximize impact. Work packages addressed previous feedback, fostering valuable reflections from the EEAB. Participants emphasized the importance of breaking silos, creating synergies, and aligning efforts across the initiative. As one of the largest EU4Health Joint Actions to date, JA PreventNCD aims to demonstrate meaningful impact by fostering collaboration, promoting high scientific quality, and ensuring coherence in objectives. The meeting served as a platform to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and explore solutions, laying the groundwork for the next phase of the project.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/advancing-ncd-prevention-key-takeaways-from-the-budapest-exco-meeting/
03.03.2025
Maternal Health: Training Doctors in Ukraine
On February 4, 2025, the Public Health Center of Ukraine (PHC) held a training session titled "Motivational Interviewing Techniques" for doctors working with pregnant women. The training aimed to equip healthcare professionals with effective motivational interviewing methods to support healthy behaviors in pregnant women, particularly in promoting alcohol cessation and reducing other harmful habits. The event was organized and conducted by the Public Health Center of Ukraine, specifically experts from the Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Research Departments: · Natalia Usenko, Specialist, NCD Prevention Department · Yuliia Kotykovych, Lead Specialist, NCD Prevention Department · Kateryna Marushko, Lead Specialist, Research Department · Darina Pustylnyk, Specialist, NCD Prevention Department About the Training The training was led by Ihor Zastavnyi, Ph.D. in Medicine, Associate Professor at the UCU School of Public Administration, Board Member of the Ukrainian Academy of Family Medicine, and Master Trainer of the mhGAP program. Participants included doctors from healthcare facilities in Kyiv involved in the pilot program "Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women": Kyiv Perinatal Center Kyiv City Center for Reproductive and Perinatal Medicine Kyiv City Maternity Hospital No. 1 During the session, participants learned about modern approaches to promoting healthy behaviors, studied the fundamentals of brief interventions and motivational interviewing, engaged in practical exercises to enhance their counseling skills, and completed a knowledge assessment test. Doctors also discussed real-life cases and received feedback from the trainer on the effectiveness of their applied methods. Why This Matters This training is part of the pilot program "Screening and Brief Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women", implemented under the European project JA PreventNCD, which aims to reduce the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases with financial support from the European Union. The importance of the initiative was highlighted by Oleksandr Yurchenko, Deputy Director General of the Public Health Center: "According to WHO data from 2023, alcohol consumption remains a pressing issue among adult women in Ukraine. Given this, as well as the absence of a unified national screening and intervention program for alcohol use during pregnancy, introducing a new counseling model is a necessary step toward reducing the risks of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and improving the health of future mothers and children." The Public Health Center remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at enhancing the competencies of healthcare professionals in disease prevention and health promotion. Training programs of this kind contribute to more effective patient counseling and foster healthier habits within the population.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/maternal-health-training-doctors-in-ukraine/
06.02.2025
Together for Europe’s Health – strategic orientations and actions for public health
Poland assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2025, marking the start of a crucial six-month period where it will play a leading role in shaping the EU agenda. As part of its presidency, the Ministry of Health of Poland hosted the conference Together for Europe’s Health – strategic orientations and actions for public health, on January 16 in Warsaw. The conference provided an opportunity to explore innovative solutions, share best practices, foster international collaboration in healthcare, and discuss key challenges and opportunities in promoting health, preventing diseases, addressing the mental health needs of children and young people, and advancing the digital transformation of healthcare systems. This aligns closely with the objectives of JA PreventNCD, which supports EU Member States in strengthening policies to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through evidence-based approaches.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/together-for-europe-s-health-strategic-orientations-and-actions-for-public-health/
31.10.2024
Making WHO European Region the Healthiest Online Environment for children: Restrict harmful marketing
JA PreventNCD is co-organizing the scientific session “Making WHO European Region the healthiest online environment for children: restrict harmful marketing”, along with WHO Euro and EUPHA, at the European Public Health Conference in Lisbon, November 2024. Marketing exposure, particularly towards children, remains a pervasive challenge, posing a significant threat to children's health and well-being. Despite WHO recommendations, few countries in the WHO European Region have introduced mandatory policies restricting marketing of unhealthy products to children. Furthermore, traditional monitoring tools struggle to keep up with automated and personalized advertisements, making reliable monitoring mechanisms and innovative tools urgently needed. The WHO Regional Office for Europe developed the KidAd platform to address this gap for a tool allowing objective and standardized monitoring of children’s exposure to digital advertising. Regional Adviser for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation, WHO Regional Office For Europe, Kremlin Wickramasinghe (Denmark) and Amandine Garde (EUPHA-LAW), Professor of Law at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, will co-chair this 60-minute scientific session. Among the speakers, Olga Zhiteneva, from WHO Europe will present Innovative tools from WHO Europe to protect children from digital marketing of unhealthy products, in particular the KidAd platform, a pioneering tool developed to address these modern challenges by providing an objective product to monitor various marketing materials. The Lead of Task 5.6, Maria João Gregório from the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health, will give an overview on Collaborative efforts of the Joint Action PreventNCD and the WHO Europe to protect children from harmful marketing, focusing on the concrete collaborative actions to support the implementation of the marketing regulation: On JA work with the Member States and especially presidency countries, to allow for the discussions on the development of the EU regulation for reduction of the harmful marketing; On the EU stakeholders positions regarding marketing regulation; On the collaborative actions in scaling up the KidAd app to detect alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-containing products marketing. Finally, Iveta Nagyova, from EUPHA, will identify evidence-based behavioural strategies such as nudges, choice architecture, and social norms that can influence healthier choices, thereby reducing the impact of harmful marketing, with the presentation Leveraging Behavioural Insights to Create Healthier Online Environment for Children.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/making-who-european-region-the-healthiest-online-environment-for-children-restrict-harmful-marketing/