Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, held an online meeting earlier this week to discuss work on noncommunicable disease prevention and control in the European Region.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the most common cause of death and disability in the European Region, responsible for 90% of all deaths – nearly 9 million people every year.
The Regional Office gave an overview of its ongoing work on tackling noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors, as well as recent innovations.
Some highlights include:
- Data collection for the childhood obesity surveillance initiative (COSI), also taking account of changing behaviours due to COVID-19;
- Capacity-building in screening and brief interventions for NCD risk factors;
- Developing the European Framework for Action on Alcohol 2022-2025 that was adopted by Member States in September;
- Extensive support to countries on strengthening tobacco control legislation;
- Advocating salt reduction initiatives, placing the European Region on-track for a 30% reduction;
- Advancing the regulation of digital marketing of unhealthy foods to children, such as through the development of a phone app to monitor marketing exposure;
- Training in the baby-friendly hospital initiative;
- Modular training platform and course on noncommunicable diseases;
- Publishing an extensive range of publication on topics including tackling misinformation about NCDs, accelerating salt reduction and health-promoting sports clubs;
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss this essential work in the context of the Regional Committee Special Session Resolution (EUR/RCSS/CONF./2 Rev.2, adopted on 10 May 2022) and the options going forward for safeguarding NCD work in the Region.
In addition, the Regional Director raised the issue of increasing coverage of anti-retroviral treatment for all people living with HIV as a key input for ensuring that HIV is under control in the Russian Federation and the Region. He reiterated that ensuring uninterrupted treatment for HIV, aligned with WHO guidelines, for people living in Donetsk, Lugansk and Mariupol is the highest humanitarian imperative. WHO is ready to make humanitarian deliveries of HIV and other medicines to all populations in need.