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19.12.2025
JA PreventNCD welcomes the Global Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health
JA PreventNCD welcomes the adoption of the new global political declaration on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and well-being, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) following the 80th United Nations General Assembly. The declaration reinforces the need to accelerate action to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 and to strengthen integrated approaches that address both physical and mental health across the life course. It underlines that progress depends on coordinated, whole-of-government and whole-of-society action that tackles the major modifiable risk factors of NCDs, including tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and air pollution, alongside the broader social, economic and environmental determinants of health. This direction aligns strongly with the mission of Joint Action PreventNCD, an EU4Health project designed to reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs by supporting effective prevention strategies and policies that address both personal and societal risk factors. A core objective is to minimise fragmentation and duplication of efforts, engage national authorities at multiple levels, and strengthen the evaluation of prevention actions so that decision-makers can prioritise what works best. “The declaration reinforces a clear message: prevention is essential if we want to reduce the burden of cancer and other NCDs and improve mental health. JA PreventNCD is midway through its work, and this is when sustained support from countries matters most, to scale what works and reduce inequalities. Prevention strengthens health, and strong health makes societies more resilient.” Linda Granlund, Project Coordinator, JA PreventNCD A key focus of JA PreventNCD is reducing social inequalities by addressing the root causes of unequal exposure to risk factors and by strengthening Europe’s infrastructure for monitoring risk factors, disease burden, and the impact of policies and interventions. This is closely connected to the declaration’s emphasis on data, surveillance, accountability, and health equity. JA PreventNCD also supports European priorities under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU NCD Initiative: Healthier Together, while building synergies with related EU4Health projects (ELISAH, FILTERED, PEACHD and ShowUp4Health) to strengthen collective impact. JA PreventNCD encourages partners and stakeholders across Europe to use this declaration as a practical roadmap, and to translate global commitments into measurable, evidence-based prevention action that improves health outcomes and reduces inequalities. Read the WHO news release here.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/news-updates/ja-preventncd-welcomes-the-global-declaration-on-ncds-and-mental-health/
29.10.2025
Inside WHO Europe’s NCD Prevention Team: A Conversation with Aleksandra Olsen
Following the joint workshop “Communicating for Impact: Changing Health Narratives Together” held in UN City, Copenhagen, we sat down with Aleksandra Olsen, Communications Officer at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, to learn more about the organization’s work on noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and the crucial role of communication in driving change. From reframing health narratives to addressing misinformation, Aleksandra shares insights from WHO Europe’s ongoing efforts to improve public health through better communication. Let’s start with the recent event in Copenhagen. It was such an energizing two days with colleagues from WHO, JACARDI, and JA PreventNCD. What stood out to you most about the workshop — and what do you hope participants took away from it? It was so energizing to come together in person as communications professionals, learning from each other’s experiences, sharing case studies, and brainstorming around how to plan, frame and measure impact. What stood out most to me was the diversity of perspectives and the creativity in the room. Communications, especially in small teams, can sometimes feel isolating, like we’re experimenting in the dark. I hope participants left feeling part of a bigger community, knowing that we are stronger when we co-create and ground our work in evidence-based public health communication. WHO Europe’s NCD team works across a vast region with many countries and contexts. Can you tell us what the team is focusing on right now when it comes to NCD prevention? What are the key priorities for the months ahead? WHO/Europe has recently restructured to form a new Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, led by Dr Gundo Weiler, whom participants also met at the workshop. One of our key priorities is tackling behavioural and environmental risk factors for NCDs: tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and air pollution. Our focus is on supporting countries to adopt effective, evidence-based policies and improve public health literacy. Like JA Prevent NCD and JACARDI, we’re also looking closely at how to best reach different audiences, whether youth, older adults, or policymakers, because one size never fits all. Our goal is to help Member States strengthen prevention based on their unique contexts and needs. Communication plays a central role in prevention. How does your team approach communication around NCDs — both in terms of reaching policymakers and engaging the public? It’s become clear how much language and framing matter. Even the term “NCD” is not widely understood outside expert circles. But using simpler words like “lifestyle choices” can also mislead, because it shifts focus to individuals and away from the powerful social, commercial and environmental determinants of health. So, careful framing is key. Beyond messages, our approach is iterative: we listen, test, adapt, and test again. Evidence-based communication requires curiosity and feedback loops. We’re also working closely with our colleagues on Behavioural and Cultural Insights in Health, who bring valuable tools to help ensure our messages resonate and reach the audiences they’re meant for. You mentioned during the event the importance of narratives. How do you see storytelling and framing influencing how people think about NCDs and prevention more broadly? Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have, especially when it’s backed by data. Numbers alone rarely move people, and policymakers are people too. Stories, on the other hand, create empathy and connection. They help us see how structural issues and commercial influences shape health behaviours. Take alcohol, for instance. It’s often seen as part of everyday life, but stories from real people help reveal its hidden harms. One storyteller, Yolanda, spoke about targeted marketing to LGBTQ+ communities and how it exploits identity for profit. Another, Tetiana, shared how she realized during COVID-19 that her drinking was not “normal”, a realization many can relate to. These stories make the data come alive and help shift public perception from blame to understanding. Working across so many countries must come with unique challenges. What are some of the biggest communication challenges you and your team face when working at the regional level? We work across 53 very diverse countries, socially, politically and culturally. That diversity is both a challenge and a strength. Communicating across such contexts means navigating different media landscapes, sensitivities and capacities. One key challenge is ensuring timely, accurate and coordinated messaging during health emergencies. Another is addressing topics that may be politically or culturally sensitive, which makes clear, evidence-based communication even more important. These are also the moments when communications can have the most impact and meaning. Collaboration is a recurring theme in public health. How do joint actions like JA PreventNCD and JACARDI help strengthen WHO’s work and impact in NCD prevention? Joint Actions like JA Prevent NCD and JACARDI bring together national experts, researchers and communicators, creating strong networks that drive progress from the ground up. They help translate evidence into action and raise the political visibility of public health issues. Collaboration is really at the heart of impact. By learning from each other’s experiences, aligning efforts and amplifying good practices, we can accelerate change and make prevention more effective across Europe. Looking ahead, what do you think is the next big step or opportunity in communicating NCD prevention effectively in Europe? The next big step is to make prevention more visible, relatable and actionable. We need to move from technical language to compelling, human-centered storytelling that connects with everyday life. Digital platforms give us incredible opportunities to reach new audiences, especially youth, but only if we do it with authenticity and creativity. I also see a huge opportunity in bridging behavioural insights with strategic communications, understanding what drives people’s decisions and designing messages that empower rather than overwhelm. The ultimate goal is to make prevention feel possible and worth caring about. And finally, on a more personal note, what motivates you most about working in this field? What motivates me is seeing that communication really can change things, not overnight, but over time. When I see a policymaker rethink an assumption because of a story we told, or when a young person says a message made them question a harmful norm, that’s impact. Public health communication is about connecting science with people’s lived realities. It’s about trust, empathy and imagination. I can’t think of a more meaningful space to work in. As Aleksandra points out, effective communication is not just about delivering information — it’s about connection, trust, and shared purpose. Through collaboration across initiatives like JA PreventNCD, JACARDI, and WHO Europe, public health communication in the region continues to evolve toward greater impact and engagement. The JA PreventNCD team thanks Aleksandra for her time, insights, and inspiring collaboration.
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/events/inside-who-europe-s-ncd-prevention-team-a-conversation-with-aleksandra-olsen/
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/
04.02.2025
The right place at the right time – JACARDI is seizing the moment in EU Public Health Policy
The JACARDI consortium begins the new year with renewed energy and optimism, strengthened by significant public health announcements made in Brussels at the close of 2024. These developments validate JACARDI’s mission and reassure the experts involved that its Joint Action and pilot projects in 19 European countries are well-aligned with the priorities of the European Union. Notable milestones include the EU Commission's endorsement of the Cardiovascular Health Plan, the newly appointed Commissioner for Health and Animal Safety’s strong focus on cardiovascular prevention and treatment, the Aerosol-Free Initiative, the European Parliament’s decision to create a standing committee on public health, and Poland’s commitment to prioritizing public health during its Presidency. Together, these advancements demonstrate that momentum is building for better prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
https://www.preventncd.eu/newsroom/partnerships-collaborations/the-right-place-at-the-right-time-jacardi-is-seizing-the-moment-in-eu-public-health-policy/