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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
April 2025
In this issue you will find:
NCD quick buys policies that deliver measurable results in 1-5 years;
Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk, says new report
PHOTO STORY: a school for children living with cancer in Uzbekistan
World No Tobacco Day 2025: unmasking the appeal
VIDEO: how to reduce cancer burden in countries?
UPCOMING: events and training courses
NCD QUICK BUYS
Just 25 public health measures can improve people’s health within a single political cycle
A new paper published in “The Lancet Regional Health – Europe” by experts in NCDs at WHO/Europe has for the first time analysed exactly how specific public health measures – so-called quick buys – can have a positive impact on population health across Europe and central Asia in as little as 5 years.
“I am constantly asked by the Region’s Member States and health partners, ‘What can we do to reduce the harms of NCDs in our countries – from cardiovascular diseases to cancers – in the most cost-effective way?’” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Thanks to our new research, we can now point to these quick buys that can deliver measurable public health benefits quickly if there is political will to adopt and implement them optimally".
The quick buys policy actions can help governments deliver on their health commitments, including key targets under the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; grow their economies; and ensure that as people live longer across our rapidly greying Region, they also lead healthy lives free from illness and disability
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2025 - coming up on May 31
Unmasking the appeal: Exposing industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products
In 2025 WHO and public health champions from across the globe will come together for WNTD to raise awareness about the harmful tactics of the tobacco industry.
This year’s WNTD campaign aims to reveal the strategies employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make their harmful products enticing, particularly to young people. By exposing these tactics, WHO seeks to drive awareness, advocate for stronger policies, including a ban on flavours that make tobacco and nicotine products more appealing, and protect public health.
NEW PUBLICATION
Tobacco Control Playbook: smoke-free environments protect health and benefit the hospitality sector
This document is the first in a series of revised and updated arguments from the 2019 Tobacco Control Playbook.
PROTECTING THE YOUTH FROM ALCOHOL HARMS
VIDEO: Greenland's experience
For decades, alcohol has cast a long shadow in Greenland, with children and families often bearing the consequences of alcohol consumption. This film outlines the situation and harmful effects of alcohol on children and their future, as well as possible solutions to this challenge in Greenland.
ICELANDIC PREVENTION MODEL
Bergþóra’s story: how Iceland transformed youth alcohol consumption
As a parent and advocate in her community, Bergþóra Valsdóttir has seen first-hand the challenges and triumphs of reducing alcohol use among young people. She was involved in the early stages of a movement that would eventually be known around the world as the Icelandic Prevention Model.
NEW REPORT
Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk
Prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages are essential for raising awareness that consuming alcohol can lead to cancer. This simple and inexpensive measure can empower consumers to make informed choices that can help reduce alcohol-related harms. A new report from WHO/Europe, “Alcohol health warning labels: a public health perspective for Europe”, underscores the urgent need for mandatory, standardized labelling on alcoholic beverages. MORE HERE
“I feel so much healthier in my body and my mind without alcohol” – Svenja’s story
Svenja, age 24, works at an artificial intelligence (AI) startup in Berlin, Germany. She is also Germany’s first content creator for sober living.
Growing up in the north of the country, drinking alcohol seemed like the norm. Yet Svenja realized that alcohol was damaging her physical and mental health. Two years ago, she made the decision to stop drinking for good.
“I just stopped. There was no transition period. I woke up one morning and just decided I wouldn’t do it anymore. I haven’t had a single sip since!”
NEW REPORT
WHO/Europe highlights Nordic alcohol monopolies as a comprehensive model for reducing alcohol consumption and harm
The Nordic alcohol monopolies, shops that have the exclusive right to sell most alcoholic beverages in Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands (a self-governing nation with extensive autonomous powers within the Kingdom of Denmark), have contributed to relatively low alcohol consumption and reduced alcohol-related harm in the Nordic countries. This is a part of the WHO European Region historically known for harmful drinking patterns and high levels of associated harm.
The new WHO/Europe report “Nordic alcohol monopolies: understanding their role in a comprehensive alcohol policy and public health significance” highlights a comprehensive model used in the Nordic countries that other EU countries could learn from. MORE HERE
Make obesity prevention and management a central pillar of public health, experts urge
Obesity must be treated as a chronic, health system issue – integrated across primary, secondary and tertiary care, say a group of experts from countries who attended the WHO Demonstration Platform on Obesity Management in Dublin, Ireland in January 2025. Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain joined WHO/Europe’s Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation (SNI) and the WHO European Centre for Primary Health Care with the clear message: Health systems worldwide need to prioritize obesity prevention and management as a core component of universal health coverage and NCD control.
NEW POLICY BRIEF
Policy brief on the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and childhood overweight and obesity
Childhood overweight and obesity represent a significant global health challenge. Alongside the rising prevalence of this issue is sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, a key contributor to excessive caloric intake and poor diet quality. This policy brief emphasizes the multi-faceted health consequences of childhood obesity, including an increased risk of NCDs and associated socioeconomic burdens.
Evidence-based interventions, such as SSB taxation, have been identified as cost- effective strategies to reduce SSB consumption and promote public health.
COUNTRY EXPERIENCE: KAZAKHSTAN
Sale of energy drinks to minors banned in Kazakhstan in bold public health move
Kazakhstan has banned the sale of energy drinks to individuals under the age of 21 in a bold step to safeguard their health. Young people are among the primary consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which are associated with childhood overweight and obesity, according to a new WHO/Europe policy brief.
The new law, which took effect in January 2025, aims to reduce SSB consumption among children and adolescents in a measure to protect them from numerous NCDs later in life.
NEW FACT SHEET
A new WHO/Europe fact sheet addresses a hidden but raising challenge in public health — sarcopenic obesity
Sarcopenic obesity is the dangerous combination of excess fat and reduced muscle mass and function. It affects not only older adults but also people of younger age with obesity-related complications.This condition is linked to frailty, multimorbidity, poor clinical outcomes, and reduced quality of life.
The fact sheet outlines:
- How to screen, diagnose, and stage sarcopenic obesity
- WHO-recommended clinical and policy actions
- The need for integrated care, nutrition, and physical activity
CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS
From school nurse to courageous advocate: Arofat Marakhimova’s fight against cervical cancer
Arofat Marakhimova’s story is a testament to why HPV testing and vaccination are powerful tools in eliminating cervical cancer. They transform a disease that once loomed large into something manageable—and avoidable. “It’s time we stop letting cervical cancer take so many lives,” Arofat Marakhimova says. In the corridors where children’s laughter echoes, she knows she has an even greater job than bandaging scraped knees: saving lives by sharing vital knowledge about preventing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer elimination: progress evident, but tragically slow
The WHO European Region is getting closer to a future in which women do not die of cervical cancer. With greater efforts to increase vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer screening and treatment, that future could arrive much sooner, saving the lives of many more young women in the coming years.
COUNTRY EXPERIENCE: KYRGYZSTAN
Advancing cancer prevention and care in Kyrgyzstan: steps on a new road
Cancer control presents a significant challenge that requires a clear vision and persistent action from the health-care system, local and national authorities, health professionals, and communities.
WHO/Europe highlights Kyrgyzstan’s journey and achievements in tackling cancer.
🎥 VIDEO: HOW TO REDUCE CANCER BURDEN IN COUNTRIES?
💬 Dr Marilys Corbex explains the importance of rapid diagnosis and access to quality treatment in reducing the cancer burden in the WHO European Region.
CHILDHOOD CANCER
“These cancer patients are future scientists, artists and leaders”: hospital schools inspire healing
“Children undergoing cancer treatment face challenges that extend beyond the physical illness,” says Professor Sergey Sharikov, who heads the “We Teach/They Learn” hospital schools project. The project’s vision is to inspire and bring joy to those who need it the most – children undergoing cancer treatment. According to its guiding philosophy, learning is more than a pathway to knowledge, it is a cornerstone of children’s psychological resilience in the face of a life-threatening disease.
🎥 VIDEO: HOW TO CONTROL CHILDHOOD CANCER
Children are not just smaller adults—this fundamental principle of pediatrics is especially true for treating childhood cancer. To get through the treatment and overcome the mental pressure, children need different approaches that are centered on their specific needs. Today, 20% of children living with cancer die from this disease in the WHO European Region. Better policies can change this.
💬Dr Vitaly Smelov explains what is needed to reduce the childhood cancer burden.
PHOTO STORY
Little heroes, big smiles
When entering a hospital, many expect to encounter sad faces and bad news about poor health, long recoveries, risky operations and life-altering challenges. In the south-western part of Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, a children’s hospital is defying these expectations by creating an entirely different atmosphere, bringing inspiration and joy to those who need it most: children undergoing cancer treatment and their parents.
THE DIABETES TARGETS
Improving diabetes care by assessing global diabetes targets
WHO has set ambitious goals to improve diabetes care worldwide by 2030. Countries of the WHO European Region are taking steps to measure and drive progress towards these goals.
The primary aim of the global diabetes targets is to strengthen diabetes care while ensuring equitable access to high-quality services. Achieving measurable progress towards these targets requires countries to collect reliable data across population groups and health system contexts.
The 5 global diabetes targets are:
- 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed;
- 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of glycaemia;
- 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of blood pressure;
- 60% of people with diabetes of 40 years or older receive statins (medicines that can help to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood); and
- 100% of people with type 1 diabetes have access to affordable insulin and blood glucose self-monitoring.
The WHO Regional Office for Europe worked with a first set of volunteer countries to determine how the global diabetes targets could be measured within different country contexts. This initiative led to the development of a report on the key learnings for measuring the global diabetes targets, alongside multiple in-depth country case studies.
The results are of relevance both in the WHO European Region and globally, providing transferable insight for countries on measuring progress against the global diabetes targets, including common approaches and considerations.
COMING UP
16th conference of the European network for the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA Europe)
HEPA Europe and the Lithuanian Sports University will host the network’s 20th annual meeting and 16th conference on 17–19 September 2025 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
The theme of the conference is “Health-enhancing physical activity: taking steps towards sustainability”.
This annual conference brings together a dynamic community of scientists, leading experts, policy-makers, professionals and stakeholders to discuss, share and develop innovations that bridge the research and practice gap in health-enhancing physical activity. It is an opportunity to explore the latest advancements in science, policy and practice. Participants can foster collaboration to drive impactful change across Europe and beyond.
Upcoming events
APPLY BY 3 MAY 2025, 00:59 CEST
Online workshop: Introduction to stakeholder network analysis
Member States require tools to build effective partnerships and networks among stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress in NCD prevention and management. This workshop provides guidance to national and local authorities, as well as stakeholders involved in programmes and networks dedicated to the prevention and management of NCDs and NCD behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption.
Session 1 (online via Zoom):
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 10:30 am–12:30 pm BST / 11:30 am–1:30 pm CEST
Session 2 (online via Zoom):
Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 10:30 am–12:30 pm BST / 11:30 am–1:30 pm CEST
Driving progress on reducing alcohol-related harm: WHO/Europe at European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2025
7 – 10 May 2025 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
Alcohol is one of the leading causes of liver disease globally and this year, it will take centre stage at the EASL Congress 2025. WHO/Europe is proud to take part in this global gathering of hepatology experts to bring into focus alcohol-related harms and promote effective, evidence-based policies that protect and improve public health.
Throughout the Congress, EASL and WHO/Europe will reaffirm the need to reduce the burden of alcohol harm across Europe. High-level sessions and expert-led discussions will highlight the critical role of public health information, policy implementation, early intervention and cross-sector collaboration in reducing the burden of alcohol and supporting liver health.
