On 5-11 September, the chronic disease community marks the Global Week for Action on NCDs. The 2023 campaign focuses on financing for NCDs.

At European level, this week is an opportunity to celebrate the recent launch of the ‘Healthier Together’ EU NCDs initiative and its important focus on investment in the field of prevention and actions to address the common risk factors of chronic diseases.

• The pandemic has exemplified the importance of investing in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, and health promotion measures to support a healthy population.
• ECDA calls for the collection of comparable, harmonised and robust data on NCDs at EU level, in particular health economic data, which is vital to strengthen health systems to better respond to chronic diseases and inform policy decisions.
• Screening and early detection followed by early action can help tackle disease progression and prevent or delay the onset of disease and life-threatening complications. ECDA reiterates the call for greater efforts to improve secondary prevention and take a holistic approach to chronic diseases considering the many clinical links they share.
• Underlying social conditions and health inequalities can lead to disease onset and have long lasting effects on health. Strategies needs to take into consideration the specific needs of children and vulnerable groups who are disproportionally affected by chronic diseases and the impact of risk factors.

During the Global Week for Action on NCDs, ECDA encourage Members of the European Parliament, EU member states and the European Commission to show their support and commitment to greater action on chronic diseases.

More information on the week here.

Read ECDA position on the Healthier Together EU initiatives, including recommended priorities for action.