Investing in prevention and improved control of noncommunicable diseases would improve the quality of life and well-being of people and societies.

No less than 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden in the WHO European Region are caused by this broad group of disorders, which are linked by common risk factors, underlying determinants and opportunities for intervention. A more equitable share of the benefits from effective interventions would make the greatest impact as well as bring significant health and economic gain to all Member States.

This action-oriented strategy, adopted by the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2006, promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling diseases in the European Region.

INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive, action-oriented Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases was developed in response to the request made by Member States at the fifty-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in 2004.

It has been developed through an extensive consultation process with countries, experts, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders. As requested through resolution EUR/RC54/R4, it is integral to the updated Health for All framework, takes account of existing Member States’ commitments through WHO ministerial conferences, relevant strategies and resolutions, as well as the experience gained through the countrywide integrated noncommunicable disease intervention (CINDI) programme.

The document is organized into eight sections and starts by presenting the rationale for action, based on the challenges faced by countries in the WHO European Region and the potential for health gain that already exists. It puts forward a strategic approach for action with a clear vision, goal and objectives and six key messages for guidance.

A strategic framework is proposed to assist Member States in strengthening their response to NCD, building on existing strategies and actions already in place. Further detail, illustrations and examples of actions will be supplied in the forthcoming WHO European report on noncommunicable diseases due for publication in early 2007.

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SUMMARY
Gaining better health for the people of Europe is achievable. It is possible to significantly reduce the burden of premature death, disease and disability in Europe through comprehensive action on the leading causes and conditions.

Investing in prevention and improved control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) would improve the quality of life and well-being of people and societies. Given the strong social gradient associated with morbidity and premature mortality from NCD, a more equitable share of the benefits from effective interventions would make the greatest impact as well as bring significant health and economic gain to countries.

The greatest disease burden in Europe comes from NCD, a group of conditions that includes cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental health problems, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease and musculoskeletal conditions. This broad group is linked by common risk factors, underlying determinants and opportunities for intervention.

The European NCD strategy promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling NCD which simultaneously:
• promotes population-level health promotion and disease prevention programmes,
• actively targets groups and individuals at high risk, and
• maximizes population coverage of effective treatment and care, while systematically integrating policy and action to reduce inequalities in health.

The goal of this strategy is to avoid premature death and significantly reduce the disease burden from NCD, improving quality of life and making healthy life expectancy more equitable within and between Member States in Europe. The objectives of the strategy are to combine integrated action on risk factors and their underlying determinants across sectors with efforts to strengthen health systems toward improved prevention and control. ...

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