Noncommunicable diseases
A relatively small group of health conditions is responsible for a large part of the disease burden in Europe. Of the six WHO regions, the European Region is the most affected by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and their growth is startling. The impact of the major NCDs (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and mental disorders) is equally alarming: taken together, these five conditions account for an estimated 86% of the deaths and 77% of the disease burden in the Region. WHO/Europe develops norms and standards, guidance and public health tools to help countries implement effective programmes and address risk factors.
Causes, impacts and the role of WHO/EuropeTopics in this category
Top story
Obesity causes cancer and is major determinant of disability and death, warns new WHO report
Almost two thirds of adults and 1 in 3 children in the WHO European Region are living with overweight or obesity, and these rates are still growing. The new WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022 warns of the serious health risks associated with rising levels of obesity. Obesity is among the top determinants of death and disability in the Region, the condition is a cause of 13 different types of cancer, and it needs to be treated and managed by multidisciplinary teams.
News
- The uphill battle: the story of Georgia’s fight for a tobacco-free future
- “My name is Ben and I get depressed sometimes” – meet the young British man speaking up for mental health
- Setting up a behavioural insights unit - WHO launches a set of considerations to support countries
Health systems response to noncommunicable diseases
Health systems response to noncommunicable diseases
Palliative care
Spotlight on care for noncommunicable diseases and COVID-19
WHO and partners have developed a set of new materials on continuity of care for NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic
Report of the Regional Director
Report of the Regional Director - The work of WHO/Europe in 2020–2021
Full report
Self-quarantine advice
Tackling NCDs in countries
Since 2015, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has been working jointly with WHO/Europe, WHO country offices and the health ministries of individual countries to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
More about tackling NCDs in countriesPublications
Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the WHO European Region: success through lessons learned and challenges faced (2022)
More publications
Advisory Council on Innovation for NCDs
WHO Regional Director for Europe’s Advisory Council on Innovation for Noncommunicable Diseases
