Confronting the silent epidemic: tackling NCDs and advancing action on mental health

Event highlights

First hearing on co-creating and co-owning EPW2: confronting the silent epidemic by tackling noncommunicable diseases and advancing mental health

With 36 weeks to go until the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), WHO/Europe held the first of 6 public health hearings to shape the European Programme of Work (EPW2), the health compass for the Region for the next 5 years. A total of 984 participants engaged in online discussions and took part in 6 breakout sessions. The consultative process represents the first time that a regional office has developed a plan truly co-owned and co-authored by the people of the Region.

The hearings focus on the interconnectedness of health and key megatrends, such as NCDs and mental health, demographic shifts and ageing, climate change, migration, and health security. Focusing EPW2 on megatrends allows us to shape the future of health today, rather than reacting to it when it is too late. Opening the hearing, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, highlighted the transformative power of health as a driver for societal progress and called on everyone to work across sectors to address the complex challenges ahead.

The hearing then featured welcome addresses from His Excellency Alar Karis, President of Estonia, and Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, each making a strong plea for building political commitment for health and engaging across sectors, from climate change to economic inequalities.

Dr Gauden Galea, Strategic Advisor to the Regional Director on NCDs and Innovation, used the example of dementia to emphasize the interconnectedness of NCDs, mental health and demography. According to a recent Lancet Commission update, nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented by eliminating 14 risk factors common to NCDs at different stages across the life course, which highlights the importance of addressing social and environmental factors. The obesity epidemic also illustrates that the needs of people across the life course must be considered, along with the interlinkages between psychological and economic well-being on one side and chronic physical disease on the other.

Dr Galea also presented 9 priority areas for collective action to accelerate progress towards the 2030 targets (RACE to the Finish) while also looking ahead to 2050 and shaping a Region that is more equitable, at peace, resilient in the face of emergencies, and carbon-neutral. These key strategic directions were echoed by the participants, who were invited to share their thoughts on the themes or strategic actions that should determine our collective agenda going forward. The following themes and actions were identified:

• strengthen collaboration across borders and with international organizations and other stakeholders;
• increase uptake of WHO best buys for NCDs and support countries in reducing exposure to risk factors and creating health-promoting environments;
• promote integrated care models that combine NCDs and mental health at primary health-care level and across the care continuum;
• address commercial and social determinants of health;
• advance social participation and meaningful engagement of communities and civil society in planning, implementation and evaluation of health strategies;
• invest in digital health tools, data for impact, and innovation; and
• develop and implement policies that address the health impacts of climate change.

Dr Galea also noted that while some countries are on track to meet NCD and mental health targets by 2030, addressing both preventable and treatable mortality is key to reducing premature mortality. This requires leadership, political will, and collective action.

In a series of 5 lightning talks, speakers shared their views on the key strategic directions and actions that should shape our collective health compass over the next 5 years to accelerate progress on NCDs and mental health, keeping in mind the current megatrends and permacrises.

Dr Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research at WHO headquarters, identified the key areas as health taxes, steering the digitalization of our societies towards equity, and realizing the health and equity co-benefits of climate change mitigation. He also noted that we all have the guidance, but are not using it enough.

Saliia Karymbaeva, Deputy Director of the Department of Sanitary, Phytosanitary and Veterinary Measures at the Eurasian Economic Union, proposed focusing efforts on food safety standards and nutrition, comprehensive regulation of alternative nicotine products, and on the interaction of climate change and health.

With a strong focus on the commercial determinants of health, Professor Anna Gilmore from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom flagged priorities that will have the greatest impact:

• reshaping economies to move away from a gross domestic product focus to economic models that prioritize well-being;
• improving governance and understanding of conflicts of interest across the whole of government;
• addressing science funding systems to ensure that science functions in the public interest; and
• moving towards the polluter pays principle, ensuring that commercial actors bear the cost of the harm they cause.

Claudia Marinetti, Director at Mental Health Europe, noted that to make meaningful progress on mental health with EPW2 in the coming years, we need to ensure human rights-based and recovery-oriented care, focus on co-creation of policies and practices, and address socioeconomic and commercial determinants of mental health.

Youth representative Yudita Pendrezai noted, “Your youth is not just your future. They are a present force, driving change. Their energy, creativity and digital fluency make them a powerful agent of transformation and enable them to engage in decision-making ... When young people are empowered to take ownership of their future through their leadership, they inspire not only their peers, but entire communities”.

Thematic breakout sessions

The event also featured 6 breakout sessions to encourage in-depth discussions of certain themes. Analysis of the input showed a set of key themes emerging:

• strengthening multisectoral engagement and linkages between NCDs and mental health;
• reframing the narrative around health as an integral part of social and economic systems;
• strengthening governance by linking health with security and regulatory agendas;
• embracing complexity through systems thinking to understand interlinkages in health;
• learning from crises, such as the pandemic and climate change, to better address health challenges;
• reframing the narrative around health as an integral part of social and economic systems; and
• upholding values such as democracy and participation.

The hearing was a welcome opportunity for policy-makers, professionals, civil society, and youth to contribute to shaping EPW2 – our collective agenda and health compass for the coming 5 years.

Event notice

WHO/Europe is organizing a critical hearing focused on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health as part of developing the second European Programme of Work, 2026–2030 (EPW2). This hearing aims to advance dialogue and drive action for healthier and more resilient communities, environments and health systems.

As the WHO European Region faces challenges from climate change, demographic shifts, industry interference and emergencies, NCDs and mental health are becoming defining health issues that require collective action and innovative solutions.

The key objectives of the hearing are to:

• mobilize a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the impact of NCDs and mental ill health;
• gather actionable insights and recommendations to inform EPW2 priorities and strategies addressing NCDs and mental health, while providing input to the discussion of RACE to the Finish and Vision 2050; and
• foster collaboration and shared ownership among partners and stakeholders to support sustainable actions to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

Confirmed speakers include:

• H.E. Alar Karis, President, Republic of Estonia
• Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries; Founder of Bloomberg LP & Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Anna Gilmore, Professor, University of Bath

NCDs and mental health in the European Region

The Region, while showing the greatest progress globally in reducing premature NCD mortality, faces substantial challenges. NCDs account for 90% of deaths and 85% of disability, with preventable deaths representing 59% of avoidable NCD-related deaths. The financial burden is enormous, with productivity losses due to preventable and treatable NCD deaths between ages 30–74 reaching US$ 514.5 billion.

Poor mental health requires urgent attention, with 1 in 4 people with psychosis not accessing mental health services. The Region faces the challenges of increasing service demands, staffing shortages and persistent stigmatization of mental illness. Social isolation and loneliness affect significant portions of the population, with 14–25% of adolescents reporting loneliness.

These challenges are compounded by the highest per capita alcohol consumption globally and concerning trends in tobacco use, obesity and physical inactivity.

A pivotal moment for action

This hearing serves as a crucial platform for shaping the future of NCD and mental health action in the Region. It brings together Member States, civil society representatives, and key stakeholders to ensure national health concerns are heard, discussed and included within the EPW2 development process.

The timing is particularly significant as the Region prepares for the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs in September 2025. The hearing will contribute to developing a bold political declaration and will inform the EPW2, focusing on creating an NCD- and mental health-resilient Region by 2030.

A series of hearings to inform EPW2

WHO/Europe is organizing a series of hearings as part of the development process for the EPW2. These hearings provide a platform for Member States, civil society representatives and other partners to share insights, priorities and recommendations for shaping a unified health agenda for the Region up to 2030 and beyond.

The feedback gathered through these sessions will inform the EPW2, ensuring that it addresses key health challenges and promotes equity and resilience. The hearings are conducted online, enabling broad participation and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.

To sign up for the hearings, please click here and for further information, write to epw2@who.int