News

Reducing premature deaths from NCDs by 45% − a bold vision discussed by NCD programme directors in Moscow 13-07-2017

More than 100 international experts on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) convened in Moscow, Russian Federation, on 8–9 June 2017. Together they discussed the feasibility of the WHO European Region exceeding the global target and reducing premature mortality from NCDs by 45% by 2030.

New WHO report on trends in adolescent obesity 11-07-2017

On 17 May 2017 at the 24th European Congress on Obesity in Porto, Portugal, Dr João Breda, Head of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, launched the new WHO report “Adolescent obesity and related behaviours: trends and inequalities in the WHO European Region, 2002–2014”.

Prevention of noncommunicable diseases in Latvia: focus on food product improvement and food reformulation 04-07-2017

On 31 May 2017, WHO conducted a workshop in Riga, Latvia, on strategies to reduce salt and other selected nutrients for food product improvement. It jointly organized the event with the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia, the Ministry of Health of Latvia and Riga Stradins University.

Prevention of NCDs in Latvia: a roadmap for physical activity and the launch of Latvian COSI report 04-07-2017

On 29–30 May 2017, WHO/Europe conducted a technical visit to Riga, Latvia, on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with a specific focus on the promotion of physical activity. The visit also included the launch of the Latvian WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) report.

Moscow hosts media launch of Russian HBSC report on adolescent obesity trends 27-06-2017

On 6 June 2017 in Moscow, Russian Federation, the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases with the support of the Russian Ministry of Health held a press conference to present the Russian-language version of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) report on adolescent obesity.

Strong commitment in Serbia to expand screening and brief interventions on alcohol consumption 27-06-2017

Identifying individuals who drink at harmful levels and providing advice on limiting alcohol consumption – known as screening and brief intervention (SBI) – is an important policy option for health promotion and disease prevention in the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020. WHO promotes the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to identify individuals who are drinking at harmful levels.

Can Europe exceed the global target and reduce premature mortality by 45%? 08-06-2017

WHO convenes a meeting of experts in Moscow to assess progress and opportunities in tackling cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Over the past decade, markedly fewer people have died prematurely in the WHO European Region. The decline is considerable, and illuminates a hope that Europe can exceed the bold target of Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 to reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 33% by 2030.

Promoting healthy behaviours and ensuring a tobacco-free environment in the context of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the Russian Federation 31-05-2017

On 27 April 2017 WHO experts and invited speakers participated in a conference hosted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the local organizing committee “Russia 2018” on promoting a healthy lifestyle and sport and ensuring a tobacco-free environment during the preparation and staging of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2018 FIFA World Cup in the Russian Federation. The conference took place in Kazan, Russian Federation, one of 11 host cities of the 2018 World Cup. FIFA events have been smoke-free since 2002 and the 2018 World Cup will also follow this principle. Representatives of host city administrations responsible for ensuring healthy and smoke-free environments during the upcoming international football competition and representatives of federal and regional ministries of health and sport also participated in the conference.

World No Tobacco Day: tobacco threatens us all 30-05-2017

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease globally, but tobacco threatens more than people’s health and well-being. It also poses a significant threat to economic well-being and, more broadly, to the sustainable development of countries in the WHO European Region and throughout the world. Strong, comprehensive measures to control tobacco use play a critical role in helping countries to make progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Meeting of the WHO Action Network on Salt Reduction in the population in the European Region (ESAN) 26-05-2017

The 2017 Meeting of the WHO Action Network on Salt Reduction in the Population in the European Region (ESAN) was held in Dublin, Ireland on the 9–10 May 2017. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) hosted the meeting, in close collaboration with the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Meeting of the WHO European Action Network on reducing marketing pressure on children 26-05-2017

The 12th Meeting of the WHO European Action Network on Reducing Marketing Pressure on Children took place in Dublin, Ireland, on the 10–11 May 2017. The Department of Health Ireland hosted the meeting, in close collaboration with the Directorate-General of Health, Portugal and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

New WHO study on health and well-being of Europe’s youth reveals that obesity continues to rise 17-05-2017

A new WHO report, launched today at the European Congress on Obesity in Portugal, reveals that the number of obese adolescents is continuing to rise in many countries across the WHO European Region.

Sixth Meeting of the European Union Physical Activity Focal Points Network 10-05-2017

The European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity convened for its sixth meeting in Toledo, Spain, on the 20–21 April 2017. Participants included representatives from the WHO Regional Office for Europe; the Sport Unit of the Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC), representing the European Commission; and the national physical activity focal points representing 22 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as a group of relevant experts.

Dr João Breda receives the prestigious Gerlev Award 2017 10-05-2017

On 6 May 2017 Dr João Breda, Head of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and Programme Manager for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, was awarded the Gerlev Award 2017 in recognition of his work in encouraging WHO Member States to adopt the Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region 2016–2025.

First train-the-trainer session in alcohol screening and brief interventions delivered in Uzbekistan 08-05-2017

During the last six months, the WHO Regional Office for Europe together with consultants has been developing a train-the-trainer toolkit for alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI) in primary health care settings. SBI includes the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to assess patients’ level of alcohol consumption, followed by provision of a brief intervention to encourage behaviour change.

Saving lives, fighting noncommunicable diseases in Europe: contribution of Russian experts 08-05-2017

On 25 April 2017, the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Office) and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation hosted a meeting in Moscow: “Saving lives, fighting NCDs in Europe: contribution of Russian experts”. During the conference, experts from the country’s leading scientific institutions presented the work they have done within the context of the NCD Office throughout the Region, in particular in eastern European and central Asian countries.

Further commitment of south-eastern Europe countries to noncommunicable disease prevention and control voiced in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova 27-04-2017

A pre-forum meeting on the prevention and control of noncommunicable disease (NCD) was held on 2 April 2017, in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, in advance of the fourth South-eastern Europe Health Ministerial Forum. The Forum, which took place on 3–4 April, focused on bringing health ministers together to discuss pathways to closer partnership, under the theme ‘Health, well-being and prosperity in south-eastern Europe by 2030 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.

Newly independent states: Potential health impact of strong tobacco control policies 25-04-2017

WHO has developed a series of fact sheets for the 11 newly independent states (NIS). The fact sheets clearly demonstrate  the positive health impact of strong tobacco control policies consistent with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Promoting sports, physical activity and healthy diets in Turkmenistan in preparation for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 24-04-2017

The conference “Asian Games 2017: Sports, Nutrition and Physical Activity – Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle” took place on 6 April 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, WHO and other international and national participants discussed the role of sports and high profile sporting events such as the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in promoting healthy diets, physical activity and gender equality. They also focused on the benefits of sports for health.

Inspiration tour to North Karelia: 45 successful years of reducing coronary heart disease mortality the community way 21-04-2017

In 1972, Finland had the highest rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in the world, and the region of North Karelia in eastern Finland had the highest rate in the country. To address this issue, the region initiated what is known as the North Karelia Project, a far-reaching, community-based intervention that aims to reduce CHD mortality by encouraging healthier habits and cutting down on risk factors such as high cholesterol intake and smoking.

Preparation meeting for the 3rd Moscow NCD training course 28-03-2017

On 22 March 2017 in Moscow, Russian Federation, WHO held a meeting with experts from the WHO Collaborating Centre on Training and Education of Health Policy-makers in Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases of the Higher School of Health Administration, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University.

How to make an impact with data: data analysis and result reporting workshop in Moscow, Russian Federation 24-03-2017

13 specialists from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia and Tajikistan participated in a 5-day workshop on data analysis and result reporting in relation to the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS), a WHO noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor survey. The training was held in Moscow, Russian Federation, on 13–17 March 2017.

New report highlights key considerations for the use of law to prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Region 24-03-2017

A new report entitled “Key considerations for the use of law to prevent noncommunicable diseases in the WHO European Region” captures the discussions from the training and provides general reflections on the use of law to prevent NCDs in the Region. It acts as a primer to demonstrate that NCD risk factors can be addressed though law.

Armenia hosts round-table on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 22-03-2017

In Armenia, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 92% of deaths, with cardiovascular diseases as the main killer (54%), followed by cancers (22%). Moreover, NCD-related causes account for 77% of premature mortality in the country. With the adoption of the Strategic Programme for the Prevention and Control of NCDs for the years 2016 – 2020, and the related Action Plan, the Government of Armenia is making significant efforts to address this leading cause of premature death and avoidable disability.

Monitoring food and beverage marketing to children via television and the Internet – a new tool for Member States in the WHO European Region 21-03-2017

The WHO Regional Office for Europe has launched a new tool to support Member States in assessing the extent and nature of food marketing to children. The tool aligns with the WHO recommendations on the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children by outlining a common approach to monitoring the situation in countries.

December 2017 special issue “Turning the tide on obesity and unhealthy diets in the WHO European Region” – Deadline for submission: 31 May 2017 09-02-2017

Public Health Panorama calls for the submission of papers for a special issue on obesity and unhealthy diets in the WHO European Region. This will be published in December 2017 and will focus on innovative policy and practice from across the European Region. As the midway point in the implementation of the WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020 approaches, the special issue offers an opportunity to reflect upon lessons learnt, explore some of challenges and consider novel approaches to drive further progress in the coming years.

New study shows that average salt intake in Uzbekistan is 3 times higher than WHO recommendation 18-01-2017

Together with WHO experts, medical doctors from Uzbekistan conducted a study of salt intake in the country. Their main objective was to determine the average level of dietary salt intake in the Uzbek population, stratified by age group (18–29, 30–44 and 45–64), by urban and rural residence, and by region.

Tobacco Control Playbook helps policy-makers counter aggressive tobacco industry tactics 12-01-2017

The tobacco industry has become more focused, aggressive and sophisticated in its efforts to block tobacco control measures. However, no single source has yet provided the resources to understand how governments and the public health community can respond to the arguments of tobacco industry players. In light of this, WHO/Europe developed the Tobacco Control Playbook, an online tool that counters common tobacco myths.

Training toolkit for alcohol screening and brief intervention tested for use in the Russian Federation 11-01-2017

Recent figures indicate that alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable harm in the Russian Federation is high, and that the burden of alcohol-attributable mortality due to cardiovascular diseases and injuries is cause for particular concern. In fact, more than half of injuries (both intentional and unintentional) in the Russian Federation are attributable to alcohol. Identifying individuals who drink at harmful levels and providing advice on limiting alcohol consumption – known as screening and brief intervention (SBI) – is an important policy option for health promotion and disease prevention in the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020. WHO promotes the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to identify individuals who are drinking at harmful levels.

Launch of international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children report in Moscow, Russian Federation 10-01-2017

On 14 December 2016, the launch of the latest international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) report in Russian – “Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people’s health and well-being” – took place in Moscow, Russian Federation. The survey results from the Russian Federation were highlighted within the context of international findings and trends.