This initiative aims to draw the attention of Stella Kyriakides, as Commissioner designate for Health, to the importance of investing and acting on health promotion and disease prevention and encourage the setup of an EU Strategic Framework for Prevention taking a cross-sectoral approach.

The guide provides a brief summary of the status of the EU response to the main risk factors, as well as ECDA vision – shared by many other health organisations – on the way forward to bring progress and further protect Europe’s population from the main preventable chronic diseases, one of today’s greatest health challenges. ECDA hopes that the recommended actions can inform the “prevention” side of the European plan against cancer and help initiate additional policy instruments and legislation.

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Dr Kyriakides will be responsible for a portfolio which not only is the corner stone of any inclusive, strong and sustainable society: people’s health, but also of key importance to restore citizens’ faith in the value of the European Union and their confidence in a healthy future.

Chronic diseases have a high impact on individuals, while incurring significant societal and economic costs. Strong EU commitment will improve the health of millions of citizens, but also sustain progress towards Sustainable Development Goals in many other areas. As evidence shows, investing in prevention and people’s health and well being brings high economic benefits.