Following the Council conclusions of 7 December 2011, The European Commission launched a consultation on chronic diseases. The European Health Policy Forum (EU HPF) – Commission consultative body on health – and of which EPHA is a member – made public its views on how to best address the issues related to chronic diseases.
The EU Health Policy Forum response on chronic diseases called for the EU to quickly take action to reduce the risk of chronic disease, to improve the health of its citizens and reduce the financial burden on Member States’ health systems. The Forum advocate for action on the underlying behavioural determinants: smoking, diet, lack of or insufficient physical activity and alcohol consumption in a broad context, in conjunction with all relevant policies and sectors.
One important aspect highlighted was the social gradient in health, to equity between and within member states, and to a specific focus on addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups.
The response underlines the importance of the human and financial burden of chronic diseases: the World Economic Forum and Harvard School of Public Health estimate that chronic
diseases will cause a US$ 47 trillion global economic output loss over the period 2011-2030. .
The role of Health promotion and disease prevention was emphasized and that effective prevention interventions can save resources of the healthcare system that can be used to provide high quality services for patients. Patients, when appropriately supported, can participate actively in society, including employment and avoid further complications and deterioration of their health.
The response also calls for the development of a European strategy on chronic diseases aimed at eliminating avoidable diseases and premature death. The ultimate goal of an EU strategy on chronic diseases must also be to improve the health and quality of life of European citizens, including persons at risk of, or affected by, chronic diseases. The EU should also aim to develop a set of time-bound targets –– for example an average increase of 2 healthy life years for EU citizens by 2020, as identified by the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Health Ageing; and calls for a 25% reduction of deaths from preventable cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases by 2025 in line with the call from the Non Communicable Disease Alliance.