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WHO Urges Bold Prevention to Curb 1.8 Million Premature Deaths in Europe

Pandemic disruptions reversed earlier gains in preventing chronic diseases across Europe.

Overview

  • A new WHO report finds 1.8 million Europeans die before age 70 each year from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory illness and diabetes.
  • Sixty percent of these premature deaths are linked to preventable factors including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity.
  • The remaining 40 percent of fatalities could be prevented or delayed through timely diagnosis and optimal treatment.
  • Progress in reducing NCD mortality stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Eastern Europe now experiencing the highest rates of avoidable deaths.
  • WHO highlights success in Belgium, Denmark and Israel and recommends systematic data collection to guide prevention strategies that could save billions in healthcare costs.