Prevention works
Shaping healthier futures, together
Every year, millions of people across Europe are affected by cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. These conditions are called non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, because they are not passed from person to person. Together, they are the leading cause of death and disability in Europe. Many cases can be prevented, and the risk and impact of others reduced, by addressing modifiable risk factors and the wider conditions that shape health. In the EU in 2019, NCDs accounted for most deaths and health loss, and a large share of this burden was attributable to modifiable risk factors.1
91%
of deaths in the EU
caused by NCDs¹
87%
of health loss in the EU
caused by NCDs¹
62%
of NCD deaths
in the EU attributable to risk factors¹
46%
of NCD health burden
in the EU attributable to risk factors¹
Why prevention matters
Across the WHO European Region, around 1.8 million deaths from non-communicable diseases are considered avoidable each year. Around 60% could be prevented by reducing exposure to risk factors and implementing effective public health measures. The remaining 40% could be prevented or delayed through timely diagnosis and access to high-quality healthcare.2
This shows that the high burden of NCDs is not inevitable. We already know many of the actions that can save lives, improve wellbeing and reduce pressure on health and social services.
Key Risk Factors
A large share of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases is linked to modifiable risk factors. This campaign focuses on four closely connected prevention areas: alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, nutrition and physical activity. Alcohol use, tobacco use and nicotine dependence, unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity can increase health risks. Healthy diets and regular physical activity, by contrast, can help protect health.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, as well as injuries and other harms.3
Prevention includes action on affordability, availability, marketing, clear health information and access to support.
Tobacco & Nicotine
Tobacco use is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases. Nicotine is highly addictive and can create and maintain dependence.4
Prevention includes helping people avoid starting, supporting people who want to quit, protecting people from smoke and aerosols, and reducing the marketing, availability and appeal of harmful products, especially for children and young people.
Nutrition
What we eat has a major influence on health. Nutrition is a key determinant of health: healthy diets can support wellbeing and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, while unhealthy diets are a major risk factor.5
Food environments matter. Prices, availability, marketing and the food offered in schools, workplaces, public institutions and communities all influence what is easy, affordable and normal to eat.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity supports physical and mental health and helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases, while insufficient physical activity is a major preventable risk factor.6
Physical activity includes much more than sport or gym exercise. Walking, cycling, wheeling, playing, dancing, gardening, taking the stairs and movement in everyday life all count. Supportive environments can make these opportunities safer and more accessible.
Health is shaped by our surroundings
Prevention is often presented as a matter of personal choice, but health is shaped by the conditions in which people are born, grow, learn, live, work and age. Availability, affordability, marketing and commercial practices, social and economic conditions, transport, urban planning, public services and public policy all influence people’s opportunities to live healthy lives.7
This understanding is not new. The WHO Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion highlighted five important areas for action: building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills and reorienting health services towards health promotion and prevention.8
These principles remain highly relevant today. Everyone should have a fair opportunity to achieve good health, regardless of income, education, where they live, age, gender, disability, migration status or other circumstances. Prevention should therefore combine clear information and practical support with action to make healthier environments fairer and more accessible.7,8
Make healthier choices easier, fairer and more accessible for everyone
Stronger action across alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, nutrition and physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other non-communicable diseases.2-8
Prevention includes giving people clear information and practical support, while also using policy, planning, regulation, public services and community action to create healthier environments.
The aim is to make healthier options easier, fairer and more accessible for everyone.
Evidence and further reading
The information, statistics and recommendations on this page are based on evidence and guidance from trusted public health organisations.
- EU burden from non-communicable diseases and key risk factors
European Commission, Knowledge for Policy - Avoidable mortality, risk factors and policies for tackling noncommunicable diseases: leveraging data for impact
WHO Regional Office for Europe - Alcohol
World Health Organization - Tobacco and nicotine
World Health Organization - Nutrition for a healthy life: WHO recommendations
WHO Regional Office for Europe - Physical activity
World Health Organization - Social determinants of health
World Health Organization - Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
World Health Organization
