01.07.2025.
Each year, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes claim 1.8 million lives in the WHO European Region – deaths that could have been prevented or delayed.
A new report by WHO/Europe reveals the staggering financial cost: over US$514 billion lost annually in productivity and health care.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain the top cause of death and disability across Europe. According to a new WHO report released on 27 June 2025, one in five men and one in ten women die before reaching 70 due to conditions like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory illness and diabetes. Most of these deaths are either preventable or treatable.
The WHO/Europe report, titled “Avoidable mortality, risk factors and policies for tackling NCDs: leveraging data for impact”, highlights how 60% of these deaths are linked to risk factors that could be reduced through stronger public health policies.
These include tobacco and alcohol use, poor diet, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and obesity. The remaining 40% of deaths are due to treatable conditions where early diagnosis and better access to quality care could make the difference.
“If NCDs were a virus, the world would be in lockdown,”
said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
He emphasised that bold action could prevent nearly 2 million deaths and save billions in healthcare costs every year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted progress on NCD prevention, leaving the region off track to meet its 2025 and 2030 targets.
High toll, high cost
The economic burden is considerable: productivity losses related to avoidable NCD deaths in the European Region amount to more than US$514 billion annually. Yet, funding for NCD prevention remains limited, despite strong evidence that investing in prevention brings high returns.
Although some gaps between countries have narrowed since 2010, large disparities remain.
The report notes that risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and tobacco use are increasingly concentrated in Eastern Europe. Premature deaths from heart disease and cancer remain particularly high among men.
Success is possible
Despite these challenges, the report offers encouraging signs. Ten countries – Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland – have already met the 2025 target of reducing premature mortality from major NCDs by 25%.
These countries share a few key characteristics:
- They have implemented WHO-recommended “best buys” – cost-effective public health measures.
- They have reduced the number of people exposed to risk factors.
- They’ve strengthened their healthcare systems, leading to consistent annual declines in NCD-related deaths.
The report also identifies 26 more countries that could reach the same target if they maintain and strengthen their efforts.
“A healthier future tomorrow requires bold action today,”
said Dr Gauden Galea, adviser to WHO’s Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation. “This report is a wake-up call – but it also offers a clear roadmap.”
The WHO/Europe report urges governments to act across multiple sectors to tackle the broader causes of poor health, from commercial influences and marketing of unhealthy products to environmental and digital risks. It recommends a combination of prevention and treatment efforts, along with stronger data systems to measure progress and support policymaking.
Key recommendations include:
- Expanding early detection and quality treatment, especially in underserved communities.
- Fast-tracking interventions that show health impact within five years.
- Involving sectors beyond health, such as education, urban planning, and technology, in creating healthier environments.
- Improving national surveillance systems to guide better decisions.
- Including NCD prevention in emergency response plans.
Ultimately, investing in NCD prevention can strengthen economies, reduce healthcare costs, and support longer and healthier lives.
