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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/
11.05.2026
Listening to Paiporta’s community after the DANA floods
Following the first phase of community sessions in Paiporta, the municipality’s participatory reconstruction process has provided valuable insights into residents’ needs, priorities and experiences after the DANA floods. The reconstruction of Paiporta has entered a new phase focused on citizen participation, with health promotion and non-communicable disease prevention perspectives. In this context, the municipality launched a broad participatory process aimed at identifying the actual needs of its residents. The starting point was the formation of the Paiporta Steering Group, a forum bringing together political representatives, technical experts, associations and local organisations, along with the Torrent Public Health Centre, the Paiporta Health Centre and the General Directorate of Public Health. This group helped establish a solid methodological foundation and a community-based approach from the outset. As part of the process, several community sessions have now been carried out involving a wide range of population groups. The planning included dedicated workshops with people over 60 years old, migrant communities and young people aged between 14 and 18, alongside specific meetings organised across four different areas of the municipality. At the same time, the initiative was coordinated with the Health Promoting Schools intervention, through which around one hundred secondary school students were consulted about their experiences, needs and priorities. Each neighbourhood session brought together around 65 residents of Paiporta aged between 26 and 85, with balanced participation between women and men. Nearly half of the participants held university degrees, while many others had completed higher education studies, and most had a local background. The discussions were structured using the Place Standard Tool, a participatory framework that assesses 14 dimensions of place, from mobility and public transport to social contact, safety and natural spaces. Residents scored each aspect on a scale that helps identify strengths and priorities for improvement.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/listening-to-paiporta-s-community-after-the-dana-floods/
10.10.2024
World Mental Health Day
Mental health is a fundamental component of overall health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and behave, influencing our daily lives, relationships and our ability to cope with stress and face challenges. October 10th is World Mental Health Day, established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health to raise global awareness about critical mental health agendas. This year’s official theme concerns Mental Health at Work: It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace. Safe and supportive work environments can play a crucial role in safeguarding mental health. However, negative factors like stigma, discrimination, harassment and poor working conditions pose significant threats, impacting participation and productivity at work, mental wellbeing and overall quality of life. As the EU employment rate is rising and is now over 75%, it is imperative to take action to minimize these risks, foster mental health and create a healthy work environment. A part of the work on Health in all Policies in JA PreventNCD focuses on Mental Health in All Policies (MHiAP), an approach to promoting population mental health and wellbeing by initiating and facilitating action within different non-health public policy areas. The aim is to present recommendations for Member States regarding MHiAP as a useful tool to promote mental health and wellbeing at different levels of governance. A survey has been sent out to map the inclusion of mental health and wellbeing in health and non-health policies at national and regional level. Data collection is underway with emphasis on identifying good practices of mental health promotion at policy level across sectors in participating countries. Examples of mental health promoting policies in the Employment sector are policies affecting flexible working hours, a work-life balance, parental leave and vacation time. Another example could be the implementation of wellness programmes that include stress management workshops, physical activities and mental health days. But policies across other sectors affect people in the workplace as well. Policies ensuring accessible and affordable public transportation, reducing commute stress. Policies ensuring access to quality nutrition, policies improving insurance coverage for mental health services, policies supporting mental health professionals to maintain their own mental health and so on. Mental health stigma can be a significant barrier to creating a supportive work environment. On World Mental Health Day, DG SANTE, the WHO and Mental Health Europe have jointly organised a Webinar on stigma related to mental health where the European Commission will present the EU support package on stigma next to the WHO toolkit on stigma. This work will complement and support the JA PreventNCD activities on mental health stigma which will be aimed at combatting stigma at structural level. JA PreventNCD is also collaborating with and following the work of the Joint Action Mental Health Together (JA MENTOR) which has just started up, to ensure synergies and make sure the work is complementary. Author: Sólrún Ósk Lárusdóttir, Directorate of Health, Iceland. Sólrún leads task 9.2: Developing effective ways to implement Mental Health in All Policies (MiAP) as part of JA PreventNDC.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/blog/world-mental-health-day/
29.05.2026
Unmasking the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products: JA PreventNCD and JA-SAFE in conversation on World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day is marked every year on 31 May. In 2026, the World Health Organization’s theme is “Unmasking the appeal: countering nicotine and tobacco addiction.” The campaign focuses on how tobacco and nicotine products continue to be reinvented, repackaged and marketed in ways that appeal to new generations, particularly children and adolescents. Tobacco remains one of the most important preventable causes of disease and premature death in Europe. At the same time, public health efforts are facing a changing landscape, with new nicotine products, cross-border trade, digital marketing, industry influence and regulatory gaps creating new challenges for tobacco and nicotine control. This remains a major priority for public health in Europe and for the European Commission’s wider prevention agenda. It is also reflected in two EU co-funded Joint Actions: JA PreventNCD, which addresses tobacco as a key cross-cutting theme in the prevention of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, and JA-SAFE, which focuses specifically on health promotion and disease prevention, including smoke- and aerosol-free environments. To mark World No Tobacco Day, we spoke with Hanna Ollila, Cross-cutting Theme Coordinator for Tobacco in JA PreventNCD; Taija Voutilainen, who leads JA PreventNCD work on alcohol- and tobacco-related perspectives in all policies; and Constantine Vardavas, Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Coordinator of JA-SAFE and Head of the Technical Group of Chemical and Sensory Assessors for Tobacco Product Flavours of the European Commission, about the current state of tobacco and nicotine control in Europe, the challenges ahead, and why international collaboration is essential. While the two Joint Actions have distinct roles, they are closely connected by a shared prevention agenda. JA-SAFE supports European action on smoke-free and aerosol-free environments, tobacco reduction, cessation, steps towards a tobacco-free generation, and wider health promotion and disease prevention. JA PreventNCD complements this work by addressing tobacco as part of a broader prevention agenda, recognising its role in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, while also working to reduce inequalities and strengthen action on the wider conditions that shape people’s health.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/interviews/unmasking-the-appeal-of-tobacco-and-nicotine-products-ja-preventncd-and-ja-safe-in-conversation-on-world-no-tobacco-day/
24.11.2025
Lancet Series on ultra-processed foods is a compelling argument for policy action to reshape the food system
A three-paper Lancet Series on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and human health, published on 18 November 2025, provides a comprehensive and timely assessment of the global impact of an unhealthy diet, one of our greatest public health challenges. The papers also highlight constructive and sound measures to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods. The analysis relies on the Nova classification system, first presented in 2009 by Carlos Monteiro. This defines ultra-processed foods as "branded, commercial formulations made from cheap ingredients extracted or derived from whole foods, combined with additives" that compete with less processed and fresh foods. What demarcates ultra-processed foods from "merely" processed foods, is the presence of one or more predominantly industrial substances, such as modified starches, flavour enhancers or non-sugar sweeteners, on its ingredient list. Thus, ultra-processed foods are essentially identified by their formulations, not their inherent health effects. Nevertheless, dietary patterns characterized by a high share of ultra-processed foods are higher in several nutrients of concern, including saturated fats, sodium, and free sugars. They are concomitantly lower in micronutrients, protein, and dietary fiber. By their nature, such diets displace nutrient-rich staples such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Consequently, systematic reviews of large observational studies have consistently associated high ultra-processed food consumption with a number of chronic diseases as well as all-cause mortality. An important physical characteristic of ultra-processed foods in general is their higher energy density compared to less processed counterparts. High energy density is known to be one of the most important factors that can cause excessive energy intake. Well-controlled randomized controlled trials have indeed found that a diet composed predominantly of ultra-processed foods can increase energy intake, often attributed to this energy density. A further characteristic that likely plays a role is the high sensory appeal ("hyper-palatability") of ultra-processed foods, through their precise combinations of fats, sugars, and salt.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/commentaries/lancet-series-on-ultra-processed-foods-is-a-compelling-argument-for-policy-action-to-reshape-the-food-system/
26.02.2024
JA PreventNCD Introduction
Cancer and other NCDs make up more than 2/3 of the burden of disease in Europe. At the population level, substantial variations exist according to socio-economic status, geographical area, age, disability, gender, and ethnic groups. A large part of this disease burden is preventable. In the context of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the need to address NCDs as expressed in the EU Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative – Healthier Together, we will address health determinants common to cancer and other NCDs, and their common underlying risk factors. The overall aim of JA PreventNCD is to reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs and common risk factors, both at a personal and societal level, and support member states by taking a holistic approach for the prevention of cancer and other NCDs, through coordinated action. The specific objectives are to: improve joint capacities of member states to plan and implement cancer and other NCD prevention policies and activities both at a national, regional, and local level; improve data and the monitoring system for cancer and other NCDs and their common risk factors; contribute to reduced social inequalities in cancer and other NCDs; engage with and support key actors in the field of cancer and NCD prevention, including decision makers at all levels of government, civil society organizations, professionals, the general population, and patients’ groups to facilitate cooperation and joint efforts. To achieve these objectives, we will analyze the opportunities for implementing evidence based intersectoral policies for preventing cancer and other NCDs, and pilot-test innovative practices and scale-up best practices, including both population-based and targeted prevention efforts to promote healthy living. Furthermore, we will monitor cancer and other NCDs mortality and morbidity, exposure to the common risk factors, cost of NCD and cancer care, and the impact of health promotion and disease prevention efforts both at a personal and societal level. Three technical work packages are designed to cover policies and actions across the spectrum from structural measures at societal level to interventions targeting individuals. These are labelled ‘Regulation and taxation’, Healthy living environment’ and ‘Identifying individuals at risk’. Another set of technical work packages are cutting across this spectrum and addressing ‘Monitoring’, ‘Social inequalities’ and ‘Health in all policies’. The common risk factors for cancer and other NCDs such as tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are themes cutting across all these six work packages. The JA PreventNCD is a large project including more than 100 partners from 25 European countries (i.e., 22 member states and Iceland, Norway, and Ukraine), and it has a total budget (EU and member state contributions combined) of more than € 95,5 million. The project started January 1, 2024, and runs through December 31, 2027. This JA represents an ambitious effort – both from the European Commission and from the participating countries - to provide strategic guidance and consolidated efforts to the field of cancer and other NCDs prevention. Key outputs include an EU Consortium on Cancer Prevention, high-level annual events, and intervention tools and policy recommendations that will contribute to reduced burden of cancer and other NCDs and inequity across Europe. Furthermore, the ambition is to contribute to reduced fragmentation of actions, duplications, and overlaps, and to promote engagement of national authorities (also at regional and local levels) to increase both the short-term and long-term impact of implemented action. Through rigorous evaluation of implemented action, we aim to assist authorities in prioritizing the most efficient prevention strategies to meet the global targets to reduce the burden of NCDs. Authors are Linda Granlund, Project Coordinator and Knut-Inge Klepp, Scientific Coordinator Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) can be held responsible for them.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/ja-preventncd-introduction/
19.12.2025
JA PreventNCD welcomes the EU Safe Hearts Plan and its strong focus on prevention
As cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disability in the EU, the European Commission launched their Cardiovascular Health Plan - the Safe Hearts Plan - on December 16th. The goal is to strengthen EU-wide collaboration on prevention, early detection and screening, treatment and care, and to reduce inequalities across Member States. JA PreventNCD celebrates the publication of the Safe Hearts Plan and its clear commitment to strengthen Europe’s efforts towards health promotion and prevention across the life course. The Plan’s pillars on prevention and on early detection and screening, strongly aligns with JA PreventNCD’s mission to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases by addressing both personal and societal risk factors, while actively reducing health inequalities.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/press-releases/ja-preventncd-welcomes-the-eu-safe-hearts-plan-and-its-strong-focus-on-prevention/