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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/
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/