Latest news with #HansHenriKluge
Euronews
9 hours ago
- Health
- Euronews
WHO Europe: 1.8 million avoidable deaths from chronic disease annually
The deadliest diseases in Europe aren't caused by viruses – they are chronic health conditions that could be largely avoided with better medical care and public health, a new analysis says. Every year, 1.8 million people in Europe and Central Asia die from avoidable deaths from noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory issues, and diabetes, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). That's down from 2010, but the COVID-19 pandemic has set back efforts to bring down preventable deaths further, the report said. Meanwhile, key risk factors, such as obesity, are on the rise and the burden of chronic conditions is expected to grow as the population continues to age. The analysis spans the WHO's European region, which includes 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Across the bloc, one in five men and one in 10 women under the age of 70 die from preventable health issues. Most of these deaths – 60 per cent – are linked to tobacco, alcohol, high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, obesity, or a lack of exercise. Another 40 per cent could be avoided through timely access to health care, the WHO said. 'Noncommunicable diseases are not just preventable or treatable; they are also largely ignored,' Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Europe director, said in a statement. 'Yet the truth is, if [these conditions] were a virus, the world would be in lockdown,' he added. There are major disparities between countries – and they are growing. Since 2010, gaps have widened on tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and narrowed only for air pollution and deaths overall. Some countries have made progress. Ten have reduced premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by at least 25 per cent since 2010: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. They have all taken steps to reduce risk factors and strengthen their health systems, the WHO said, calling on other countries to follow suit. The report comes as countries prepare to meet in New York in September for a United Nations conference on noncommunicable diseases. They are expected to focus on access to primary care, mental wellbeing, and the role of businesses and commercial actors in shaping health outcomes, among other topics. 'The high burden of [these diseases] in our societies is not inevitable,' Kluge said. 'We have the power and tools to turn things around'.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
WHO: Nearly 2 million avoidable deaths per year tied to chronic disease in Europe and Central Asia
The deadliest diseases in Europe aren't caused by viruses – they are chronic health conditions that could be largely avoided with better medical care and public health, a new analysis says. Every year, 1.8 million people in Europe and Central Asia die from avoidable deaths from noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory issues, and diabetes, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). That's down from 2010, but the COVID-19 pandemic has set back efforts to bring down preventable deaths further, the report said. Meanwhile, key risk factors, such as obesity, are on the rise and the burden of chronic conditions is expected to grow as the population continues to age. Related How well are countries in Europe dealing with health issues? New report shows progress is stagnating The analysis spans the WHO's European region, which includes 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Across the bloc, one in five men and one in 10 women under the age of 70 die from preventable health issues. Most of these deaths – 60 per cent – are linked to tobacco, alcohol, high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, obesity, or a lack of exercise. Another 40 per cent could be avoided through timely access to health care, the WHO said. 'Noncommunicable diseases are not just preventable or treatable; they are also largely ignored,' Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Europe director, said in a statement. 'Yet the truth is, if [these conditions] were a virus, the world would be in lockdown,' he added. Related Want to live better in old age? Scientists advise following these eating habits There are major disparities between countries – and they are growing. Since 2010, gaps have widened on tobacco use, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, and narrowed only for air pollution and deaths overall. Some countries have made progress. Ten have reduced premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases by at least 25 per cent since 2010: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. They have all taken steps to reduce risk factors and strengthen their health systems, the WHO said, calling on other countries to follow suit. Related Living with a chronic health condition in Europe: Which OECD countries are leading the way? The report comes as countries prepare to meet in New York in September for a United Nations conference on noncommunicable diseases. They are expected to focus on access to primary care, mental wellbeing, and the role of businesses and commercial actors in shaping health outcomes, among other topics. 'The high burden of [these diseases] in our societies is not inevitable,' Kluge said. 'We have the power and tools to turn things around'.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-03-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
WHO Calls for Immediate Action as Report Shows 10% Rise in Child TB Infections in European Region
Tuberculosis (TB) infections among children in the European region rose 10% in 2023, indicating ongoing transmission and the need for immediate public health measures to control the spread, the World Health Organization said on Monday. WHO's European region, which comprises 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, reported more than 7,500 cases among children under 15 years of age in 2023, an increase of over 650 cases compared to 2022. "The worrying rise in children with TB serves as a reminder that progress against this preventable and curable disease remains fragile," said Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Regional Director for Europe. Askar Yedilbayev, regional TB advisor for WHO's European region, said in an interview that a rise in overall cases might indicate improved diagnoses. However, it could also result from increased cross-border movement due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the two countries with the highest disease burden in the region. Children under 15 years of age made up 4.3% of all TB cases in the European Union, a joint report by the WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control showed. This shows an increase in cases in this age group for the third consecutive year, which Yedilbayev said was a "worrisome scenario". WHO has previously warned that funding cuts from global donors will undo progress in controlling TB infections across low- and middle-income countries. These cuts can hurt TB programs in non-EU countries, fueling a rise of hard-to-treat strains, the agency said. Several local, on-ground workforces have been hurt from the funding cuts, and the supply of diagnostics and treatments remains at risk, said Yedilbayev. TB, among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and spreads through coughing or sneezing.
Arab News
24-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
WHO calls for immediate action as report shows 10% rise in child TB infections in European region
Tuberculosis (TB) infections among children in the European region rose 10 percent in 2023, indicating ongoing transmission and the need for immediate public health measures to control the spread, the World Health Organization said on Monday. WHO's European region, which comprises 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, reported more than 7,500 cases among children under 15 years of age in 2023, an increase of over 650 cases compared to 2022. 'The worrying rise in children with TB serves as a reminder that progress against this preventable and curable disease remains fragile,' said Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Regional Director for Europe. Askar Yedilbayev, regional TB adviser for WHO's European region, said in an interview that a rise in overall cases might indicate improved diagnoses. However, it could also result from increased cross-border movement due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the two countries with the highest disease burden in the region. Children under 15 years of age made up 4.3 percent of all TB cases in the European Union, a joint report by the WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control showed. This shows an increase in cases in this age group for the third consecutive year, which Yedilbayev said was a 'worrisome scenario.' WHO has previously warned that funding cuts from global donors will undo progress in controlling TB infections across low- and middle-income countries. These cuts can hurt TB programs in non-EU countries, fueling a rise of hard-to-treat strains, the agency said. Several local, on-ground workforces have been hurt from the funding cuts, and the supply of diagnostics and treatments remains at risk, said Yedilbayev. TB, among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and spreads through coughing or sneezing.
Reuters
24-03-2025
- Health
- Reuters
WHO calls for immediate action as report shows 10% rise in child TB infections in European region
March 24 (Reuters) - Tuberculosis (TB) infections among children in the European region rose 10% in 2023, indicating ongoing transmission and the need for immediate public health measures to control the spread, the World Health Organization said on Monday. WHO's European region, which comprises 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia, reported more than 7,500 cases among children under 15 years of age in 2023, an increase of over 650 cases compared to 2022. "The worrying rise in children with TB serves as a reminder that progress against this preventable and curable disease remains fragile," said Hans Henri Kluge, WHO's Regional Director for Europe. Askar Yedilbayev, regional TB advisor for WHO's European region, said in an interview that a rise in overall cases might indicate improved diagnoses. However, it could also result from increased cross-border movement due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the two countries with the highest disease burden in the region. Children under 15 years of age made up 4.3% of all TB cases in the European Union, a joint report by the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control showed. This shows an increase in cases in this age group for the third consecutive year, which Yedilbayev said was a "worrisome scenario". WHO has previously warned that funding cuts from global donors will undo progress in controlling TB infections across low- and middle-income countries. These cuts can hurt TB programs in non-EU countries, fuelling a rise of hard-to-treat strains, the agency said. Several local, on-ground workforces have been hurt from the funding cuts, and the supply of diagnostics and treatments remains at risk, said Yedilbayev. TB, among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and spreads through coughing or sneezing.
