Europe's Top Killers: Preventable Diseases Claiming Every Fifth Man
Over one-fifth of males in Europe succumb to illnesses that could potentially be avoided
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It's a grim reality—noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease remain Europe's leading causes of death and disability [1][4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a staggering 1.8 million preventable deaths annually in the region [1]. These deaths could be significantly reduced or postponed through targeted health measures, early detection, and quality treatment [1].
Risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol abuse, poor diet, high blood pressure, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles play a significant role in these deaths [1][2][4]. According to the WHO European Region, which spans 53 countries including EU members and nations like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and Central Asia, one out of every five men and every tenth woman in the region dies prematurely due to NCDs [1].
WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge stated, "Non-communicable diseases are not only preventable or treatable, they are largely ignored" [1]. If NCDs were a virus, we'd be in a lockdown. Prevention or treatment could save nearly two million lives annually and billions of dollars in lost productivity [1]. Unfortunately, investment in prevention is insufficient [1].
The difference in mortality rates between wealthy and less affluent countries in the region has decreased since 2010, but still remains significant [1]. Countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have lower mortality rates from NCDs, while Eastern parts show higher rates [1].
Good to Know: Alcohol, salt, and sugar could increase cancer risk [2].
Sources: ntv.de, mbr/dpa
- Europe
- Cancer
- Disease
- World Health Organization
- Diabetes
The Big Picture:
- NCDs account for 90% of deaths and 85% of disabilities in the WHO European Region [1][4].
- Major killers: Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases [1][2][4].
- Modifiable risk factors: Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, and diabetes prevalence in some populations [1][3][4].
- Social, commercial, environmental, and digital determinants also require multisectoral strategies to tackle effectively [1].
- Health system challenges contribute to 40% of avoidable deaths due to insufficient treatment access or quality [1][3].
- To reduce these preventable deaths, WHO recommends accelerating multisectoral, integrated policies, implementing cost-effective interventions, and strengthening health systems [1][3][4].
[1] https://www.who.int/eu
[2] https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/cancer_fact_sheet.pdf
[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
[4] https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases
- The employment policy within the community should encourage health and wellness initiatives to combat the rise of preventable diseases like cancer and diabetes, which are major killers in the WHO European Region.
- In light of the financial burden of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease on medical-conditions, it would be wise for employment policies to prioritize fitness-and-exercise programs to promote cardiovascular-health and mental-health among employees.
- To address the growing crisis of non-communicable diseases like cancer and chronic respiratory diseases in the region, community policy makers should implement nutrition guidelines that reduce salt, sugar, and alcohol consumption, thus lowering the risk of such diseases.
- As part of a comprehensive employment policy aimed at improving the health of employees, companies should focus on providing resources for early detection and management of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, which are preventable or treatable.
- In the context of the WHO's recommendation for multisectoral, integrated policies to reduce preventable deaths from non-communicable diseases like cancer and heart disease, healthcare systems must also address the challenge of insufficient treatment access or quality to achieve optimal outcomes.
