Disease prevention

In the European Region, preventable diseases continue to impose a high burden of premature mortality, and unfortunately, simple and cost-effective preventive and curative interventions are underused. WHO/Europe aims to strengthen public health programmes to prevent communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and address risk factors. A high prevalence of risk factors can put populations or communities at a greater risk and result in more disease. These risk factors accumulate throughout the life-course and have economic, social, gender, political, behavioural and environmental determinants. Comprehensive action on the leading causes, conditions and the high coverage of proven health interventions can significantly reduce the burden of disease, premature death and disability in Europe.