WHO EPW 2 Hearings - Confronting the silent epidemic: Tackling noncommunicable diseases and mental health together

The first hearing on 22 January 2025, "Confronting the Silent Epidemic: Tackling Noncommunicable Diseases Together," will kick off a series of discussions for the Second European Programme of Work (EPW2) 2026-2030. This series will focus on key health challenges across the WHO European Region, each tackling an urgent issue. The launch of this series is a major step in the development of EPW2, which aims to articulate a shared vision for health and well-being in the Region, developed in close partnership with Member States, in line with their priorities for the future. Ultimately, EPW2 will be a collective resource to inform national and regional health agendas. It will also define WHO’s programmatic contribution to advancing this vision in line with the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW 14), bridging Member States’ aspirations with WHO’s operational mandate. The NCD hearing will set the stage for the discussions to follow, bringing together a variety of perspectives to ensure that EPW2 addresses the health needs of today and prepares for future challenges.

Following a high-level opening segment for the series of hearings as a whole, this hearing will focus on the growing burden of NCDs, their impact on health systems, and the urgent need for action. Diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases make up 90% of deaths and 85% of years lived with disability in the region. Despite being largely preventable or treatable, these diseases continue to cause premature deaths, especially in Eastern Europe, where the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases is nearly five times higher than in Western Europe.

At the hearing, experts will present updates from the European Progress Report on NCDs, showing how the region is progressing toward global health targets. We’ll explore the links between NCDs, mental health, and global challenges like climate change and health security. With lightning talks, personal stories, and interactive breakout sessions, the hearing will dig into the health challenges we face and discuss ways to take action. It will be a chance to share ideas and work together toward achieving the SDG targets on NCDs and mental health. This event marks a key moment in our journey to build healthier, more resilient communities and health systems across the region.

Key questions for the discussion will include: Why have we made so little progress on NCD targets, and how can we speed up action to reduce premature deaths? How do NCDs and mental health connect with inequity, and how do these challenges relate to climate change, the influence of industries, and global crises? How can countries, cities, communities, and WHO collaborate to tackle NCDs and mental health with bold, innovative actions while strengthening health systems for better outcomes?