Country capacity for noncommunicable disease prevention and control in the WHO European Region

Preliminary report

Prepared by Jill L. Farrington and Sylvie Stachenko

Country capacity for noncommunicable disease prevention and control in the WHO European Region
Preliminary report

By: Jill L. Farrington and Sylvie Stachenko

ABSTRACT
The lifestyles epidemic is the epidemic of the 21st century. Within the WHO European Region, the impact of the major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is alarming. As part of the implementation of the Action Plan of WHOs Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO conducted a global survey of country capacity for the prevention and control of NCDs during 20092010. The survey was designed to measure the capacity of individual countries to respond to the prevention and control of NCDs. Specific areas of assessment include: public health infrastructure for NCDs; the status of policies, strategies and action plans relevant to NCDs; health information systems, surveillance and surveys; the capacity of health care systems for early detection, treatment and care of NCDs; and health promotion, partnerships and collaboration. This publication reports on selected survey results for the countries in the WHO European Region to inform the sixtieth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Keywords
CHRONIC DISEASE prevention and control NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES organization and administration DATA COLLECTION EUROPE

Text editing: David Breuer

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CONTENTS
Page

Abbreviations ................................................................................................................ iv Foreword...................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements........................................................................................................ vi Executive summary ...................................................................................................... vii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 2. Methods .................................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Instrument design ........................................................................................... 2 2.2. Data collection ................................................................................................ 2 2.3. Data input, cleaning and analysis...................................................................... 3 3. Results ...................................................................................................................... 4 3.1. Response rate................................................................................................. 4 3.2. Public health infrastructure............................................................................... 5 3.3. Policies, strategies and action plans .................................................................. 8 3.4. Health information systems ............................................................................ 12 3.5. Capacity of health care systems...................................................................... 13 3.6. Partnerships and health promotion ................................................................. 16 4. Discussion................................................................................................................ 19 4.1. Limitations.................................................................................................... 19 4.2. Discussion of findings .................................................................................... 20 5. Conclusions.............................................................................................................. 23 6. References............................................................................................................... 24 Annex 1. Countries responding to the survey by country group ........................................ 27 Annex 2. Response to the global surveys in 20002001 and 20092010 among WHO European Member States .............................................................................................. 29

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Abbreviations
CARK CIS central Asian republics and Kazakhstan (five countries): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Commonwealth of Independent States1 (11 countries): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan central and south-eastern European countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia European Union noncommunicable disease World Health Organization

CSEC

EU NCD WHO

When the data were collected, the CIS consisted of (12 countries): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

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Foreword
The lifestyles epidemic is the epidemic of the 21st century. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) claim more than 35 million lives each year globally. Within the WHO European Region, the major NCDs cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes have alarming effects. NCDs account for nearly 86% of deaths and 77% of the disease burden and impose a great burden on socioeconomic development. NCDs, especially cardiovascular diseases and injuries, underlie the widening health gaps between and within countries. People with low income are disproportionately affected. Further, the uptake of harmful behaviour differs between the sexes, threatening progress made in gender equality. Tobacco use among men and boys is steadily declining while sharply increasing among women and girls. Added to this are the growing problems of obesity and harmful use of alcohol: more than one third of disease burden among young men is attributable to alcohol. In response to the growing burden of NCDs, WHO developed the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in 2000. In 2006, WHO launched the European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. The World Health Assembly endorsed a six-year Action Plan for the Global Strategy in 2008. As part of implementing this Action Plan, WHO conducted this third global survey of country capacity for the prevention and control of NCDs, which was completed very successfully in the European Region. The results of this survey show that countries demonstrate a steady and increasing commitment to addressing NCDs, with an increase in dedicated units within health ministries and collaborative mechanisms in place in most countries. Policies on NCDs have been enhanced during the past decade, and countries have strongly focused on tobacco control supported by surveillance systems. However, the battle against the NCD epidemic is far from over. The challenge of translating policies into effective action requires adequate capacity for implementation and strong political will. Only half the policies were operational, and even fewer had dedicated budgets. This complex field of action requires the involvement of many sectors and all levels of government. The WHO Regional Office for Europe will soon embark on developing an action plan on NCDs for the European Region to accelerate action, promote partnerships and address the special needs of Member States across the Region. I am convinced that the results and conclusions of this survey will provide valuable information and insight in our efforts to tackle NCDs. Zsuzsanna Jakab WHO Regional Director for Europe

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Acknowledgements
Key people in Member States and colleagues at WHO country offices, regional offices and headquarters as well as WHO collaborating centres strongly supported this survey of country capacity. Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO led the work on the survey globally. His role included: high-level advocacy for the project on a survey of country capacity in noncommunicable diseases; communicating with regional directors regarding implementation of the project in the WHO regions; and monitoring collaboration between relevant departments in the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster and ensuring technical contributions. Under his guidance, Leanne Riley, Team Leader, Surveillance, Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion, WHO headquarters coordinated the implementation of the survey and validation of results and contributed to sections of the report for the European Region. Melanie Cowan collated the global data and prepared statistical tables for further analysis by the Region. Within the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Agis D. Tsouros, Unit Head, Noncommunicable Diseases and Environment, coordinated the work. Rula Nabil Khoury, Regional Surveillance Officer and Eleni Antoniadou, Technical Focal Point and coordinator of the regional capacity survey liaised with noncommunicable disease counterparts and WHO country offices to support the completion of the questionnaire and to validate data received against other sources. Noncommunicable disease counterparts designated by health ministries were responsible for completing questionnaires. WHO country offices assisted greatly in acquiring the data in a timely manner. For each respondent country, a person with authority on behalf of the health ministry was identified to check and formally clear the questionnaire. Sylvie Stachenko, Dean, School of Public Health, University of Alberta and Director, WHO Collaborating Centre on Noncommunicable Disease Policy contributed to the main report and carried out the comparative analysis of country groups and trend analysis, assisted by Katerina Maximova, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Jill L. Farrington, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, Leeds (WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Development in Health Systems Strengthening) coordinated and wrote the report.

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Executive summary
This publication reports on the results of the global survey of country capacity for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) within the countries in the WHO European Region. This is a preliminary report using data available by 31 July 2010. Further validation may update findings for the global report of the survey to be published in early 2011. The WHO European Region had a 94% response rate (50 of 53 countries). This was the third survey of its kind since 20002001, which allowed trend analysis for selected questions for a subset of 40 countries that had responded to the first and third surveys. This report focuses on selected survey questions. The percentage of countries having a unit, branch or department within health ministries responsible for NCDs increased during the past decade. In 2010, four fifths of countries overall have such a unit, branch or department. This most frequently covers primary prevention, health promotion and surveillance. CARK countries were least likely to have such a unit, branch or department. Where this existed in CIS countries, it was more likely to cover health care and treatment. National institutes supported NCD work in various ways, most frequently in information management and least likely for treatment guidelines and policy research. Slightly more than two thirds of countries had a policy or strategy on NCDs, although it was operational in only half of countries and had a dedicated budget for implementation in only one third. Nordic and EU countries were most likely to have a policy or strategy on NCDs, but this did not guarantee it being operational or having a dedicated budget. Policies, strategies or action plans on NCDs were slightly more likely to address risk factors than diseases. Of the risk factors, poor nutrition and diet were most frequently addressed and physical inactivity least frequently; of the diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer were most frequent and chronic respiratory disease least frequent. Poor diet and physical inactivity were equally well covered by EU countries, whereas other country groups generally covered physical inactivity less well. About one third of countries targeted a specific population group within their policy or strategy, with pregnant women least well covered. The most popular setting for implementing NCD policy interventions was health care facilities. Policies on cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and tobacco control increased from 2000 2001 to 20092010: cancer was the most popular disease category, and the presence of tobacco control plans doubled during the decade. Almost all countries included mortality and morbidity from NCDs in the national reporting system, but only about two thirds of countries included risk factors. The most common disease registry is a cancer registry, present in more than nine tenths of countries; cancer is also the disease most frequently covered in the NCD surveillance system. Risk factors are well represented in national and provincial surveys, tobacco use most often. Six risk factors were present in surveys, and all had increased during the decade, with tobacco use most frequently included and inclusion of unhealthy diet showing the greatest increase over time. Cancer and diabetes were equally well covered in the NCD surveillance systems of all Nordic countries, whereas other country groups usually covered diabetes less well.

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Overall, NCDs were well integrated into the health care system, with countries most frequently reporting primary prevention and health promotion, risk factor detection and disease management. Self-care and surveillance were least frequently reported. The most common guidelines, protocols or standards reported were for diabetes and hypertension, with lifestyle risk factors less common, especially alcohol control and physical inactivity. In general, these were poorly implemented, however, with at best less than one third of countries fully implementing guidelines on diabetes. All the Nordic countries had alcohol control guidelines, whereas these were one of the least common topics for other country groups. CARK and CIS countries fully implemented virtually no guidelines. Overall, about nine tenths of countries reported the availability of funding for NCD activities, and central government revenue is the main source of funding for just over half the countries. Health insurance (either social insurance or private health insurance) covers services and treatment for NCDs in four fifths of the countries, and the percentage of the population covered is high in the countries with such coverage. Nevertheless, country groups differ greatly, with health insurance covering virtually no services and treatment for NCDs in CIS and CARK countries. Countries have mixed sources of funding for lifestyle support services. Comparative analysis revealed striking differences between groups regarding funding for NCDs and health promotion. International donors are often the main source of funding for NCD activities in CIS and CARK countries. Health insurance covered NCDs all the Nordic, EU and CSEC countries versus no CARK countries and only one fifth of CIS countries. For lifestyle support services, CARK countries mainly relied on charitable organizations; for CIS and CARK countries, state insurance and health insurance were virtually absent. Almost all countries reported established partnerships and collaborations, with crossdepartmental or ministerial committees the most frequently reported mechanism. Other government ministries, academe and nongovernmental organizations were the most commonly reported key stakeholders. The private sector featured as a key stakeholder in partnerships for the Nordic and EU countries. About half the countries had continual and ongoing collaboration between the health promotion, public health and health care sectors. A range of health promotion initiatives had been implemented; among projects with focusing on NCDs, the most frequent were health-promoting schools and least frequent workplace wellness. In summary, despite some progress across the Region, there is huge scope for strengthening work on preventing and controlling NCDs in the European Region.

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1. Introduction
As part of the implementation of the 20082013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (WHO, 2008), WHO conducted a global survey of country capacity for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) during 20092010. The survey was designed to measure the capacity of individual countries to respond to NCDs. Specific areas of assessment include: public health infrastructure for NCDs; the status of policies, strategies, and action plans relevant to NCDs; health information systems, surveillance and surveys; the capacity of health care systems for early detection, treatment and care of NCDs; and health promotion, partnerships and collaboration. This publication reports on selected survey results for the countries in the WHO European Region to inform the sixtieth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe. As such, it draws on the data available by 31 July 2010 to highlight areas of specific interest to the Region. A global report on the main survey, to be published in early 2011, may update findings as further data validation occurs. As this is the third such survey since 2000, some limited trend analysis and comparative analysis of country groups has been possible in addition to descriptive analysis of results. After the methods are described, the results are presented in turn for each area of assessment. Then these are discussed in detail and in context of relevant policy initiatives within the Region and in the light of findings from elsewhere. The concluding section draws out the main themes of note for the Region as it seeks to measure progress since endorsing the European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in 2006 (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2006a) and the focus on tackling tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and obesity within the Region (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2002, 2006b, 2006c, 2007a, 2007b). It will also contribute to measuring the mid-term progress of the Action Plan of WHOs Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.

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2. Methods
2.1. Instrument design
The survey aimed to measure the capacity of individual countries to respond to NCDs in five areas: public health infrastructure for NCDs; the status of policies, strategies, action plans and programmes relevant to NCDs; health information systems, surveillance and surveys; the capacity of health care systems for early detection, treatment and care of NCDs; and health promotion, partnerships and collaboration. A global set of questions reflecting these five areas of assessment was developed from February to November 2009) through a series of technical meetings and consultations at all levels of WHO. A survey methodologist was commissioned to review the questions and to provide technical guidance on methodological issues. Three of the six WHO regional offices held consultation meetings with their NCD focal points to discuss the development of the tool and the process for implementation and to review the draft questions. The instrument also included a set of detailed instructions to complete the survey tool, and a glossary helped to define the terms used in the survey instrument for consistency and crosscountry comparison. The instrument was translated into French, Russian and Spanish to facilitate completion by the countries. The final questions and instructions were administered through the use of an electronic Excel questionnaire tool (Microsoft Corporation), which was completed by a team of professionals at the country level to ensure that a comprehensive response was compiled. Within the WHO European Region, some questions of particular interest to the Region were added to the questionnaire.

2.2. Data collection

The field work was carried out from November 2009 until May 2010 in collaboration with WHO regional and country offices. Within the WHO European Region, only WHO Member States were included. Within the WHO European Region, WHO national counterparts for NCDs assigned by health ministries have existed since 2005. The WHO Regional Office for Europe contacted these focal points with an introductory e-mail about the questionnaire, its importance and purpose and a brief outline of the timeline and expectations. They were asked to confirm whether they would be able to assist in collecting the information for their country and, if not, to refer the WHO team to the appropriate person. WHO attempted to streamline the data collection as much as possible with other parallel data collection. The Regional Office team informed the NCD focal point if the country had contributed to other relevant WHO surveys focused on individual NCD risk factors including poor nutrition, obesity, alcohol, physical inactivity or tobacco and provided the contact details of relevant focal points to facilitate consistency and coordination. The WHO country offices worked with the Regional Office team in following up on nonrespondents. The NCD focal points were requested to provide a copy of their national action plan or strategy if they indicated in their completed questionnaires that these existed. For validating country data, NCD focal points were also asked to identify a person with authority on behalf of the health ministry to clear the responses to the questionnaire, and a WHO sign-off form was sent to each country for the purpose of formally clearing the questionnaire.

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Once completed questionnaires were received, the WHO teams at headquarters and in the Regional Office compared information received with that already held to triangulate material. When discrepancies were found, NCD focal points were contacted with proposed alternatives. If confirmation of acceptance of the proposal was received, then the response within the completed questionnaire was updated; if no confirmation was received, data remained as entered by the NCD focal point. This process is still ongoing.

2.3. Data input, cleaning and analysis

Data were extracted from the country questionnaires and compiled into regional and global databases. WHO headquarters cleaned the data. Stata 10 software was used for writing the statistical programs for the global analysis (Stata Corporation, 2007). For the European Region, where applicable, analyses were carried out for the CARK, CSEC, EU, CIS and Nordic country groups. These groups were selected according to those used in the European Health for All database and The European health report (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2009, 2010a) and according to considerations of homogeneity, geographical and cultural proximity and maximizing the number of countries included in comparative analysis. Nevertheless, some groups overlap in membership (most notably EU and CSEC), groups differ in size and six countries, Andorra, Israel, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and Turkey, are not included in any subregional analysis. EU membership reflects current status. Annex 1 lists the countries included in the various country groups. Stata 11 software was used for writing all the statistical programs for this analysis (Stata Corporation, 2009). The substantial changes in the questionnaires within the three surveys carried out by WHO in collaboration with WHO regional and country offices in 20002001 (Alwan et al., 2001), 2005 2006 (WHO, 2007) and 20092010 means that few questions can be tracked consistently between surveys. The first and third questionnaires are probably most similar. Trends in national capacity for NCD monitoring and surveillance were therefore derived by comparing the results from the 20092010 survey with the 20002001 survey (Alwan et al., 2001). To track progress, the analysis is based on 40 countries participating in the two surveys.

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3. Results
3.1. Response rate
Tables 1 and 2 present the response rate to the survey globally in 20092010 and within the WHO European Region. In total, 196 countries completed the questionnaire: 184 of these are WHO Member States. The overall response rate for WHO Member States was 95% (184 respondents of 193 Member States). The regional response rates varied from 83% to 100%. Table 1 shows the numbers of Member States responding in the WHO regions.
Table 1. Response rates of Member States to the global survey by WHO region

Returned WHO region African Region Region of the Americas Eastern Mediterranean Region European Region South-East Asia Region Western Pacific Region Total Number of WHO Member States 46 35 21 53 11 27 193 n 46 29 21 50 11 27 184 % 100 83 100 94 100 100 95

By 31 July 2010, the response rate for the European Region was 94%. A high proportion of returned questionnaires (43 of 50) were complete. Both the response rate and completion rate may improve during subsequent months. Table 2 indicates the response rate by the country groups studied in the comparative analysis. Annex 1 lists the specific countries responding for each country group.
Table 2. Response rates to the global survey among WHO European Member States by country group

Returned Country group CARK CSEC EU CIS Nordic European Region Number of WHO Member States 5 16 27 12 5 53 n %

3 60% 16 100% 26 96% 10 83% 5 100% 50 94%

The response rate for the 20002001 survey was 80% in the European Region, and the 94% response rate for the 20092010 survey was a considerable improvement. Forty countries responded to both the 20002001 and the 20092010 surveys (Annex 2).

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3.2. Public health infrastructure

3.2.1. A unit responsible for NCDs
Table 3 reports on the availability of a national unit (or branch or department) responsible for NCDs in the health ministry; this refers to an administrative agency for disease prevention and control or for preventing and controlling NCDs within the health ministry. Eighty per cent of countries have a unit, branch or department within the health ministry that is responsible for NCDs. There has been some improvement in the past decade, from 60% in 2000 2001 to 75% in 20092010 among the countries responding to both surveys. Among country groups, a lower proportion of CARK countries have a department responsible for NCDs.
Table 3. Percentage of countries having a unit, branch or department for preventing and controlling NCDs within the health ministry by country group, 20092010

Country group European Region CARK CSEC EU CIS Nordic

% 80 67 81 85 80 80

About three quarters of countries responding have an NCD unit, branch or department within the health ministry with responsibility for planning, coordinating implementation, monitoring and evaluation (Table 4). Among country groups, this is less frequent for the CARK countries, and the CIS countries are least likely to have such a unit carrying out monitoring and evaluation. In general, the Nordic countries are most likely to have such a unit with all three functions. The area most frequently covered by such an NCD unit is primary prevention and health promotion, closely followed by surveillance; health care and treatment are the areas least frequently covered. This is also the case for the EU countries, Nordic countries and CSEC countries. In contrast, the NCD unit in the CIS countries more frequently covers health care and treatment. Whether early detection and screening is part of the NCD unit varied between country groups, and there is no clear pattern.

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Table 4. Percentage of countries with a health ministry unit, branch or department that covers the following responsibilities and areas, 20092010

European Region Responsibility Planning Coordinating implementation Monitoring and evaluation Area Primary prevention and health promotion Early detection and screening Health care and treatment Surveillance 74 74 72

CARK

CSEC

EU

CIS

Nordic

67 67 67

81 75 81

77 81 77

70 70 60

80 80 80

72 68 58 70

67 67 67 67

81 75 56 75

77 77 69 77

60 60 70 60

80 60 60 80

3.2.2. Funding
Tables 5 and 6 report on the availability and sources of funding for NCD activities and functions in countries. Of the countries responding, 92% (46 of 50) stated that funding is available to support treatment and control of NCDs and surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of NCDs. There is no pattern in terms of country groups for the absence of such funding. All CARK and CSEC countries reported having such funding available, whereas a lower proportion of Nordic countries did so. CIS countries are most likely to have funding for treatment and control, which might fit with this being the most frequently reported area of responsibility for the NCD unit.
Table 5. Percentage of countries having a specific budget for the implementation of NCD activities and functions, 20092010

Activities and functions Treatment and control Disease prevention and health promotion Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation

European CARK CSEC EU Region 92 88 92 100 100 100 100 100 100 92 92 96

CIS 90 70 80

Nordic 80 80 80

For the vast majority of countries responding (90%), central government revenue is the main source of funding for NCD activities. Overall, 44% of respondents (20 countries) reported that international donors are a major funding source for NCD work. For the CIS and CARK countries, international donors are as important a funding source as central government revenue; international donors are least important in the EU and Nordic countries.

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Table 6. Percentage of countries reporting the following major sources of funding for NCD activities and functions, 20092010

Source of funding Central government revenue Health insurance International donors Earmarked taxes on alcohol, tobacco, etc.

European CARK CSEC EU Region 90 60 44 32 100 33 100 67 100 94 63 38 92 65 31 38

CIS 90 40 90 30

Nordic 80 40 0 40

3.2.3. Supporting institutes involved with NCDs

Table 7 presents the support health ministries receive from national bodies, institutes or reference centres for preventing and controlling NCDs. A national institute refers to a national public health institute or a specialized institute for preventing and controlling NCDs. These bodies are supportive in various ways, most frequently in relation to information management, with 94% of the respondents overall and all the country groups reporting this most frequently. Policy research and treatment or treatment guidelines are the least frequent areas of support overall (84% respondents for each). The frequency is similarly low for the EU and CSEC countries. For the CIS countries, scientific research and surveillance are the areas least reported as receiving support from these national bodies.
Table 7. Percentage of countries reporting the following functions of national bodies, institutes or reference centers that support the health ministry in preventing and controlling NCDs, 20092010

Function Scientific research Policy research Facilitate or coordinate development of policy Surveillance of NCDs or risk factors Information management Treatment or treatment guidelines Training relevant to preventing and controlling NCDs Health promotion and disease prevention services

European CARK CSEC Region 86 84 90 92 94 84 90 86 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 94 87 100 100 100 94 100 100

EU 96 85 96 96 96 85 92 92

CIS 80 90 90 80 100 90 90 80

Nordic 80 80 80 100 100 100 80 60

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3.3. Policies, strategies and action plans

3.3.1. Presence of policies, strategies and action plans
Tables 813 and Fig. 1 focus on the presence and nature of integrated policies, strategies and action plans for NCDs. A policy is defined as a specific official decision or set of decisions designed to carry out a course of action endorsed by a political body, including a set of goals, priorities and main directions for attaining these goals. The policy document may include a strategy to give effect to the policy. A strategy is defined as a long-term plan designed to achieve a specific goal. An action plan is defined as a scheme of a course of action to accomplish an objective, which may correspond to a policy or strategy, with defined activities indicating who does what (type of activities and people responsible for implementation), when (time frame), how and with what resources. Of the 50 countries responding, 68% reported having a policy or strategy on NCDs (Table 8). About half reported the policy, strategy or action plan to be operational (50%), to have a monitoring and evaluation component (50%) and to have measurable targets (52%). Nevertheless, only 34% reported that the policy, strategy or action plan had a dedicated budget for implementation (Fig. 1). The Nordic and EU countries more commonly have a policy, strategy or action plan (Table 8), although even for these groups of countries the policy or strategy less often is operational or has a budget for implementation. Operational policy, strategy or action plans are least common in the CIS countries.
Table 8. Percentage of countries having a national integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs, 20092010

European Region Policy, strategy or action plan exists The policy, strategy or action plan: Is operational Has a dedicated budget for implementation Has a monitoring and evaluation component Has measurable targets 68 50 34 50 52

CARK 67 67 67 67 67

CSEC 75 63 44 69 63

EU 81 58 35 54 58

CIS 60 50 40 50 60

Nordic 80 60 0 40 60

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Fig. 1. Percentage of countries having a national integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDS of a specific nature, 20092010

80 70 60 50 % 40 30 20 10 0 European CARK Region CSEC EU CIS Nordic Has a monitoring and evaluation component Has measurable targets Has a dedicated budget for implementation Is operational

Poor nutrition and diet is the most common risk factor to be addressed by a policy, strategy or action plan overall (Table 9 and Fig. 2) and physical inactivity the least common. Diet and physical inactivity are most frequent in the EU countries; the other country groups address physical inactivity less frequently.
Table 9. Percentage of countries having an integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs that addresses specific risk factors, 20092010

Risk factor Alcohol consumption Poor nutrition and diet Physical inactivity Tobacco consumption

European CARK CSEC Region 62 64 60 62 67 67 33 67 75 75 75 75

EU 69 73 73 69

CIS 60 60 50 60

Nordic 80 80 60 80

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Fig. 2. Percentage of countries having an integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs that addresses specific risk factors, 20092010

Nordic

European Region 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

CARK

Alcohol consumption Poor nutrition and diet Physical inactivity Tobacco consumption

CIS

CSEC

EU

Regarding early detection, treatment and care of conditions (Table 12), policies, strategies and action plans for cardiovascular disease and cancer are most frequently reported overall and in all country groups and are present in 56% of respondent countries. The EU, Nordic and CSEC countries have the highest percentages of country groups of having a policy, strategy or action plan for cardiovascular disease and cancer, whereas having a policy, strategy or action plan for chronic respiratory disease is least common in all country groups.
Table 10. Percentage of countries having an integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs that combines early detection, treatment and care for the following conditions, 20092010

Condition Cardiovascular diseases Cancer Diabetes Chronic respiratory disease Hypertension Overweight and obesity Abnormal blood lipids

European Region 56 56 50 42 52 52 48

CARK 67 67 67 67 67 67 67

CSEC 69 69 63 44 63 69 69

EU 58 58 50 35 50 58 50

CIS 60 60 60 60 60 50 40

Nordic 60 60 20 20 40 20 40

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3.3.2. Targeting of policies, strategies and action plans

There is no real pattern in targeting specific population groups under the national policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs (Table 11). In general, about one third (median 32%) of countries target a population specific group, with pregnant women least common (26%) and children and adolescents most common (36%). On the whole, pregnant women are least frequently targeted across several country groups (CSEC, EU and Nordic).
Table 11. Percentage of countries targeting specific population groups under the national integrated policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs, 20092010

Population group General population (no specific target) 09 years 1019 years 1524 years Adults 65 years Pregnant women Marginalized and vulnerable groups

European CARK CSEC Region 32 36 36 32 34 32 26 32 33 33 33 0 33 0 33 33 38 44 44 38 44 38 25 38

EU 46 35 35 31 31 27 19 31

CIS 20 40 40 30 40 30 40 40

Nordic 0 80 80 80 60 60 40 80

3.3.3. Implementation of policies, strategies and action plans

The most popular settings for implementing interventions under the policy, strategy or action plan on NCDs are health care facilities, community and school overall and in the EU, CSEC and Nordic country groups (Table 12). Households are relatively popular settings for implementation in the CARK and CIS countries but least popular with the EU, CSEC and Nordic groups.
Table 12. Percentage of countries implementing interventions under a policy, strategy, or action plan on NCDs in the following settings, 20092010

Setting Health care facility Community School Workplace Household

European CARK CSEC Region 68 62 62 52 44 67 67 33 33 67 75 75 75 69 44

EU 81 73 73 65 42

CIS 60 60 50 30 50

Nordic 80 60 80 40 20

Trends on NCD issue-specific policies, strategies and action plans across the 10 years only exist for four issues (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and tobacco control) that have been periodically reported on by the 40 countries participating in the 20002001 and 20092010 surveys (Table 13). In general, policies for each of these issues increased during the 10 years. Cancer has its own policy, strategy or action plan more frequently than cardiovascular diseases or diabetes and increased the most over the decade so that, by 20092010, 85% of countries reported having a national policy, strategy or action plan on controlling cancer. The number of tobacco control plans nearly doubled during the decade so that, by 20092010, 77% of countries reported having one. Policies for all four issues were slightly more frequent in 20092010 than in 20002001.

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Table 13. Percentage of countries having a specific national policy, strategy or action plan for preventing and controlling NCDs, 20002001 and 20092010

Specific policy, strategy or action plan Cardiovascular diseases Cancer Diabetes Tobacco control

20002001 50 60 52 42

20092010 62 85 67 77

3.4. Health information systems

3.4.1. Health reporting systems
Of the countries responding, 100% include mortality and 96% morbidity related to NCDs in the national health reporting system (Table 14). For mortality, this is population-based in 84% of countries and results in an official report in 92% of countries; for morbidity, it is only population-based in 34% of countries and results in an official report in 78% of countries. Risk factors related to NCDs are less often included in the national health reporting system: 68% of the countries. This is population-based in 54% of countries and results in an official report in 52% of countries.
Table 14. Percentage of countries including NCDs in the national health reporting system, 20092010

Aspect of NCDs NCD-related mortality included NCD-related morbidity included NCD risk factors included

European CARK CSEC Region 100 96 68 100 100 67 100 100 87

EU 100 96 73

CIS 100 100 50

Nordic 100 80 40

The most common NCD disease registry is a cancer registry: 92% of countries have a cancer registry, whereas only 58% of countries have a diabetes registry. The cancer registry is national in scope in 82% of countries but in 48% of countries for diabetes.

3.4.2. Surveys
Trends in NCDs and their risk factors were reviewed for the 40 countries participating in the 20002001 and 20092010 surveys (Table 15). The presence of the six risk factors included in both surveys increased during the decade. Tobacco use remains the risk factor most frequently included in surveys (90% and 95%), with unhealthy diet and overweight and obesity both increasing from 65% to 87% over the period to become the next most commonly included risk factors, besides alcohol consumption, in national or provincial surveys.

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Table 15. Percentage of countries having national or provincial studies or surveys on specific risk factors for NCDs, 20002001 and 20092010

Risk factor Tobacco use Unhealthy diet Physical inactivity Alcohol consumption Hypertension or elevated blood pressure Diabetes or elevated blood glucose Overweight and obesity Dyslipidaemia
NA: not available.

20002001 90 65 70 NA 67 70 65 NA

20092010 95 87 80 87 82 77 87 65

3.4.3. Surveillance
Coverage of the surveillance system for NCDs is greatest for cancer, reported by 92% of countries responding (Table 16). Slightly more than half the countries cover diabetes (58%) and coronary events (52%), with 38% of countries covering stroke and other NCDs. This would be in accordance with findings for disease registries (see section 3.4.1). Cancer is most commonly covered in all country groups except CARK. All the Nordic countries reported cancer and diabetes to be equally well covered.
Table 16. Percentage of coverage of the surveillance system for NCDs, 20092010

Disease Cancer Diabetes Myocardial infarction or coronary events Stroke Other NCDs

European Region 92 58 52 38 38

CARK 67 67 67 33 100

CSEC 94 69 56 31 44

EU 96 54 58 46 39

CIS 90 70 40 30 50

Nordic 100 100 60 60 40

3.5. Capacity of health care systems

3.5.1. Health care systems
Overall, NCDs are well integrated into health care systems (Table 17), with primary prevention and health promotion, risk factor detection and risk factor and disease management the three areas most frequently reported and for most country groups. Home-based care is equally high for CARK and Nordic countries. In general, support for self-help and self-care and surveillance and reporting are least frequently reported across countries overall and country groups.

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Table 17. Percentage of countries integrating NCDs into the health care system, 20092010

Aspect integrated Primary prevention and health promotion Risk factor detection Risk factor and disease management Support for self-help and self-care Home-based care Surveillance and reporting

European CARK CSEC Region 96 94 90 70 80 68 100 100 100 67 100 67 100 100 94 69 75 88

EU 100 100 92 81 73 62

CIS 80 80 80 50 90 70

Nordic 100 100 100 80 100 40

3.5.2. Guidelines, protocols and standards

Tables 18 and 19 report on guidelines, protocols or standards for managing NCDs and their risk factors and the extent to which these are implemented. The most common guidelines, protocols or standards for managing NCDs and their risk factors are diabetes and hypertension; this applies across almost all country groups, although for the Nordic countries, alcohol consumption is equally common (Table 18). In all but the Nordic countries, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption are the least common topics for guidelines, protocols or standards.
Table 18. Percentage of countries having available national guidelines, protocols and standards for managing NCDs and their risk factors, 20092010

Diseases and risk factors Diabetes Hypertension Overweight and obesity Blood lipids Alcohol consumption Tobacco consumption Poor nutrition and diet Physical inactivity

European Region 88 82 68 66 56 58 68 56

CARK 67 33 67 67 33 33 67 67

CSEC 94 94 81 81 63 63 81 63

EU 92 85 73 77 65 69 73 69

CIS 90 80 50 40 40 50 40 30

Nordic 100 100 60 80 100 60 80 60

In general, national guidelines, protocols or standards for NCDs and their risk factors are poorly implemented (Table 19) with, at best, diabetes being fully implemented in 30% of respondent countries and hypertension in 24%. For the country groups, the Nordic countries report most progress (60%) for diabetes and hypertension. For seven of the eight conditions, no CIS country reports full implementation.

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Table 19. Percentage of countries having fully implemented national guidelines, protocols, standards for managing NCDs and their risk factors, 20092010

Diseases and risk factors Diabetes Hypertension Overweight and obesity Blood lipids Alcohol consumption Tobacco consumption Poor nutrition and diet Physical inactivity

European CARK CSEC Region 30 24 14 14 12 12 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 50 25 31 19 19 13 6

EU 46 31 19 23 19 23 23 12

CIS 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0

Nordic 60 60 20 20 20 0 0 0

3.5.3. Health care funding

Tables 20 and 21 report on funding for NCDs and lifestyle-supported services. Health insurance (either social insurance or private health insurance) covers NCD-related services and treatment in 84% of the countries, with 94% of the population covered (Table 20). This average figure masks extremes. Health insurance covers NCD services and treatment in all the Nordic, EU and CSEC countries versus no CARK countries and only 20% of CIS countries.
Table 20. Percentage of countries in which health insurance covers NCD services and treatment and proportion of the population covered by health insurance for these, 20092010

European Region Health insurance covers NCDs Average proportion of the population covered 84 94

CARK 0 0

CSEC 100 90

EU 100 95

CIS 20 92

Nordic 100 96

Mixed sources of funding are available for lifestyle support services (Table 21). Again, country groups differed markedly. The CARK countries wholly rely on charitable organizations or user charges, and these are the two most common sources for CIS countries. For the CSEC, EU and Nordic countries, health insurance or state insurance are the main sources of funding, although user charges also feature prominently for the Nordic countries.
Table 21. Percentage of countries funding lifestyle support services by various means, 20092010

Means of funding State insurance Health insurance User charges Free at the point of use from charitable organization

European Region 50 56 62 42

CARK 0 0 33 100

CSEC 50 75 63 31

EU 69 77 65 35

CIS 10 10 60 70

Nordic 80 40 80 40

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3.6. Partnerships and health promotion

Table 22 presents the existence of partnerships and collaborations for implementing key activities related to NCDs. Almost all countries (92%) reported established partnerships and collaborations for implementing NCD-related activities, and this is fairly consistent across country groups, ranging from 90% among CIS countries to 100% among CARK and Nordic countries. The most common mechanisms in operation for partnerships and collaborations are crossdepartmental or ministerial committees, and this also applies to the EU and Nordic countries. For the CIS and CARK countries, joint task forces are equally popular (Table 22).
Table 22. Percentage of countries having various mechanisms in partnerships and collaborations for implementing NCD-related activities, 20092010

Mechanism Cross-departmental or ministerial committee Interdisciplinary committee Joint task force Other

European Region 80 76 66 26

CARK 67 33 67 33

CSEC 75 81 62 25

EU 88 81 69 27

CIS 60 50 60 40

Nordic 100 80 60 20

Other government ministries (other than health), academe and nongovernmental and civil society organizations are most frequently reported as key stakeholders (Table 23), also across the country groups. The private sector is a key stakeholder for the Nordic (100%) and EU (73%) countries.
Table 23. Percentage of countries having the following key stakeholders in partnerships and collaborations, 20092010

Stakeholder Other government ministries (non-health) United Nations agencies Other international institutions Academe (including research centres) Nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations and civil society Private sector Other

European CARK CSEC Region 88 54 58 86 90 58 20 67 33 33 67 67 33 0 87 75 69 87 94 37 25

EU 96 46 61 96 96 73 35

CIS 80 70 70 70 80 50 0

Nordic 100 40 40 100 100 100 40

About half (52%) the respondent countries have continual and ongoing collaboration between health promotion, public health and health care sectors; no countries reported this as being nonexistent (Fig. 3). The picture is similar across country groups.

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Fig. 3. Percentage of countries having the following extent of collaboration between the health promotion, public health section and the medical and health care sectors, 20092010

100 90 80 70 60 % 50 40 30 20 10 0 European Region CARK CSEC

Continual and ongoing collaboration Fully integrated EU

CIS

Nordic

A range of health promotion initiatives have been implemented, with health-promoting schools projects with an NCD focus most frequent (94%) and workplace wellness least frequent (46%) (Table 24 and Fig. 4). Although health-promoting schools projects are popular across all country groups, all Nordic and virtually all EU countries have fiscal interventions to influence behaviour change.
Table 24. Percentage of countries that have implemented specific health promotion activities or initiatives, 20092010

Activity or initiative Fiscal interventions to influence behaviour change Initiatives to regulate food marketing to children Community or empowerment approach Health-promoting schools projects with an NCD focus Workplace wellness Healthy cities or municipalities

European Region 80 70

CARK 67 67

CSEC 81 69

EU 96 69

CIS 60 80

Nordic 100 100

94 46 78

100 100 67

94 25 94

100 42 96

80 80 60

100 40 60

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Fig. 4. Percentage of countries that have implemented community or empowerment approaches, 20092010

100 90 80 70 60 % 50 40 30 20 10 0 European Region CARK CSEC EU CIS Nordic

Health-promoting school projects with an NCD focus Workplace wellness Healthy cities or municipalities

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4. Discussion
4.1. Limitations
This is the third survey carried out by WHO to assess country capacity for preventing and controlling NCDs (Alwan et al., 2001, WHO, 2007). This is the first time that the questionnaires have been designed to be completed electronically in Excel format, and this may have contributed positively to the high response rate and ease of analysis. The findings of the survey need to be interpreted in light of several limitations. The NCD focal points in the country provided the information, which reflects their understanding of the current status of survey items at the time the survey instrument was completed. Only about half the NCD focal points were the same as those in place during 20052006 when the second survey was carried out, so there may have been a lack of familiarity with the process or purpose. The NCD focal points came from a variety of bodies (departments within health ministries; institutes of public health; universities; and clinical fields), and this may have influenced their breadth of knowledge of the situation within their country. Although efforts have been made to validate the responses, and supporting documentation was requested, many survey items cannot be independently validated. The timing of this report, while some data are still being validated, means that results may be subject to change in the coming months. Although the survey questionnaire was subject to a lengthy development process, global questions cannot accommodate the specific situation in every country. The question and response structure might therefore not have allowed countries to give the most complete picture of their individual situation. Further, language problems may not have been completely solved by translation, particularly in relation to using certain technical terms that are not universally similar in their interpretation. Terms may also have been understood differently, and the individual elements of some questions specific to diseases or risk factors may have been confusing for some countries that take a more integrated approach. Much of the analysis is descriptive. Efforts have been made to analyse trends and carry out some comparative analysis between country groups. Both are limited in approach. The substantial changes in the questionnaires within the three surveys means that few questions can be consistently tracked between surveys. The first and third questionnaires are probably most similar. Further, only a subset of countries responded to each survey. For these reasons, the trend analysis focuses on the trends between the 20002001 and 20092010 surveys. There is no perfect way of grouping countries for such a comparison. The present choice follows groups previously used by WHO, which takes a geopolitical approach to some extent. The groups were chosen to ensure that most countries were included; nevertheless, some groups overlap in membership (most notably the EU and CSEC), groups differ in size and six countries, Andorra, Israel, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and Turkey, are not included in any subregional analysis. This report attempts to focus on areas likely to be of particular interest to the audience; the forthcoming global report will take a more comprehensive approach.

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4.2. Discussion of findings

4.2.1. Infrastructure
The existence of NCD units, branches or departments within health ministries has increased during the past decade. In 2010, four fifths of countries have a unit, branch or department responsible for NCDs within the health ministry. This is largely responsible for planning, coordinating implementation, monitoring and evaluation and most frequently covers the areas of primary prevention, health promotion and surveillance. CARK countries were least likely to have an NCD unit, branch or department within the health ministry. In CIS countries, these were more likely to cover health care and treatment. National institutes support NCD work in various ways, most frequently in information management and least likely for treatment guidelines and policy research. In identifying key success factors for developing policy on NCDs, an analysis of policy on NCDs in countries in the European Region (Ritsatakis & Makara, 2009) underlined the importance of a strong resource base (information and expertise) on which policy could draw, strong political commitment and a tradition for negotiating long-term policy.

4.2.2. Policy
Slightly more than two thirds of countries have a policy or strategy on NCDs, although it is operational in only half of countries and has a dedicated budget for implementation in only one third. Nordic and EU countries are most likely to have a policy or strategy on NCDs, but this does not guarantee it being operational or having a dedicated budget. Ritsatakis & Makara (2009) found numerous examples in which clearly designated funds, or the lack of such funds, determine the feasibility or otherwise of implementing policy. Policies, strategies or action plans on NCDs are slightly more likely to address risk factors than diseases. Of the risk factors, poor nutrition and diet are most frequently addressed and physical inactivity least; of the diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer are most frequently addressed and chronic respiratory disease least. EU countries cover poor diet and physical inactivity equally well, but other country groups cover them generally less well. About one third of the countries target a specific population group within their policy or strategy, with pregnant women least well covered. The most popular setting for implementing policy interventions for NCDs is health care facilities. Policies on cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and tobacco control increased from 2000 2001 to 20092010. Cancer is the most popular disease category, and the presence of tobacco control plans increased the most during the decade. Several EU presidencies have focused on specific diseases from the overall group of NCDs in recent years. Nongovernmental organizations and professional associations have strongly promoted these focused efforts:

cardiovascular diseases or heart health during the Irish EU Presidency in 2004 (Shelley, 2004; Council of the European Union, 2004), culminating in a European Heart Health Charter in 2007 (Ryden et al., 2007); diabetes during the Austrian EU Presidency in 2006, actively supported by nongovernmental organizations towards the passing of a United Nations General Assembly Resolution on diabetes in December 2006 (Hall & Felton, 2006; United Nations, 2006); and

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cancer during the Slovenian EU Presidency in 2008 (Council of the European Union, 2008).

4.2.3. Health information

Almost all countries include mortality and morbidity from NCDs in the national reporting system, but only about two thirds of countries include risk factors. The most common disease registry is a cancer registry, which is present in more than nine tenths of countries; cancer is also the disease most frequently covered in the surveillance system for NCDs. Information on cancer is much more widely available than for other diseases, reflecting the long tradition of populationbased cancer registries in most European countries as well as support through the European Network of Cancer Registries and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Micheli & Baili, 2008). Risk factors are well represented in national and provincial surveys, tobacco use most frequently. Of six risk factors in surveys, all increased during the decade, with tobacco use most frequently included and the inclusion of unhealthy diet showing the greatest increase over time. Several agencies have encouraged and supported the importance of risk factor surveillance in preventing and controlling NCDs, emphasizing its value for monitoring change over time, for evaluating the effects of interventions and for predicting the future burden of disease (Campostrini et al., 2009; WHO, 2005, 2009a). WHO has especially focused on surveillance of tobacco use in recent years: for example, developing a rigorous system to monitor the status of global tobacco use is a specific component of the Bloomberg Initiative to reduce tobacco use (WHO, 2009b), and progress in countries has been closely monitored (WHO, 2009c; WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2007c). All Nordic countries cover cancer and diabetes equally well in their NCD surveillance systems, whereas other country groups usually cover diabetes less well.

4.2.4. Health care

Overall, NCDs are well integrated into the health care system, with countries reporting primary prevention and health promotion, risk factor detection and disease management most frequently. Self-care and surveillance are least frequent. The most common guidelines, protocols or standards are for diabetes and hypertension, with lifestyle risk factors less common, especially alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. In general, these are poorly implemented, however, with at best just below one third of countries fully implementing guidelines for diabetes. All the Nordic countries have alcohol control guidelines, whereas these are among the least common topics for other country groups. CIS countries fully implement virtually no guidelines. Protocols and guidelines are increasingly being developed in the European Region (Ritsatakis & Makara, 2009), and the survey in 20002001 (Alwan et al., 2001; WHO, 2007) noted the predominance of disease-specific protocols, standards and guidelines over those for risk factors. Guidelines, protocols and standards form just one part of the wide range of decision support tools and systems available to improve the quality and safety of the care of people with chronic conditions. These often focus on particular conditions in one specific health service setting: the challenges of reorganizing health systems so that decision supports are available and operational throughout the health system are very great (Glasgow et al., 2008).

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4.2.5. Health care funding

The Tallinn Charter: Health Systems for Health and Wealth recognized that there is no single best approach to health care funding, but the overall allocation of resources needs to strike an appropriate balance between health care, disease prevention and health promotion (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2008). Funding is available for NCD activities in about nine tenths of countries, and central government revenue is the main source of funding for just over half the countries. Four fifths of the countries cover NCD services and treatment by health insurance, and the percentage of the population covered in countries with coverage is high. Nevertheless, country groups differ greatly, with health insurance covering virtually no services and treatment for NCDs in CIS and CARK countries. Mixed sources of funding exist for lifestyle support services. Country groups differ vastly in funding for NCDs and health promotion. International donors are more likely to be the main source of funding for NCD activities in CIS and CARK countries. All the Nordic, EU and CSEC countries cover NCDs by health insurance versus no CARK countries and only 20% of CIS countries. For lifestyle support services, CARK countries mainly rely on charitable organizations; for CIS and CARK countries, state insurance and health insurance are virtually absent.

4.2.6. Partnerships
Almost all countries have established partnerships and collaborations, with cross-departmental or ministerial committees the most frequently reported mechanism. The most common key stakeholders are other government ministries, academe and nongovernmental organizations. The private sector is a key stakeholder in partnerships for the Nordic and EU countries. This may reflect the efforts at the EU level to enhance dialogue for action between the for-profit and notfor-profit sectors through mechanisms such as the European Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. Evaluation of the Platform after five years of operation found that it has inspired the development of national platforms in several EU countries and led to better understanding between sectors, although an element of confrontation and lack of trust remains (The Evaluation Partnership, 2010). About half the countries have continual and ongoing collaboration between the health promotion, public health and health care sectors. Numerous health promotion initiatives have been implemented, with projects focusing on NCDs most frequent in health-promoting schools and least frequent in workplace wellness. Health promotion in schools can improve childrens health and well-being, with programmes promoting healthy eating and physical activity being among the most effective (Stewart-Brown, 2006). In addition to the long-standing holistic approach of health-promoting schools in the WHO European Region, focus on the contribution of schoolbased projects to counteracting obesity has been increasing (Mathieson & Koller, 2006; WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2010b).

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5. Conclusions
This publication reports on the results of the 20092010 global survey of the capacity of countries for preventing and controlling NCDs for the countries in the WHO European Region. Country capacity has been assessed in five main areas: public health infrastructure for NCDs; the status of policies, strategies and action plans relevant to NCDs; health information systems, surveillance and surveys; capacity of health care systems; and health promotion, partnerships and collaboration. This is the third such survey since 2000, and this preliminary report draws on the data available by 31 July 2010 to highlight areas of specific interest to the Region. Some limited trend analysis and comparative analysis of country groups has been carried out in addition to descriptive analysis of results. A global report of the main survey, to be published in early 2011, may update findings as data are validated further and will more comprehensively analyse the situation in the Region. Evidence indicates some progress during the past decade, as more countries now have facilitating structures, resources and supportive mechanisms in place. Several of these reflect particular areas of focus at the international level through WHO, the EU, nongovernmental organizations and other efforts. The nature of the survey instrument, with its focus on diseasespecific or issue-specific elements, has made assessing the extent of an integrated approach more difficult. Some findings reinforce those from elsewhere. The presence of cancer within health information systems, especially disease registries, is particularly well resourced. Implementing disease support mechanisms is challenging. Some findings are encouraging, such as growth in the number of health ministries having NCD units, the breadth of partnerships and established collaboration mechanisms for tackling NCDs and the resources available within countries from such sources as national institutes. Policies on NCDs have increased during the past decade, and these are slightly more likely to address risk factors than diseases. There seems to be a strong focus on tobacco control, supported by policy and surveillance systems. Yet other findings point to areas of potential concern. Although more than two thirds of countries have a policy or strategy on NCDs, it is operational in only half the countries, and only one third of the countries have a dedicated budget for implementation. Further, nine tenths of countries have funding available for NCD activities, but central government revenue is the main source in just over half of countries, and reliance on charitable organizations or user charges for health promotion activity may be excessive. Progress across the European Region appears uneven, and some parts of Europe may still focus more on health care and treatment rather than primary prevention in tackling NCDs. Thus, despite some progress, there is great scope for efforts to prevent and control NCDs in Europe.

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6. References
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The Evaluation Partnership (2010). Evaluation of the European Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. Brussels, European Commission. United Nations (2006). Resolution adopted by the General Assembly: World Diabetes Day. New York, United Nations. WHO (2005). Preventing chronic diseases: a vital investment. Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/en, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO (2007). Report of the global survey on the progress in national chronic diseases prevention and control. Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/chp/about/integrated_cd/en/index6.html, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO (2008). 20082013 Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/nmh/publications/9789241597418/en/index.html, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO (2009a). WHO STEPS Instrument (Core and Expanded). The WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS). Instrument v2.1, Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/chp/steps/STEPS_Instrument_v2.1.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO (2009b). Bloomberg Initiative to reduce tobacco use [web site]. Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/tobacco/communications/highlights/bloomberg/en/index.html, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO (2009c). WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic. Geneva, World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/2009/en/index.html, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2002). European Strategy for Tobacco Control. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2006a). Gaining health. The European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2006b). European Charter on counteracting obesity. WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2006c). Framework for alcohol policy in the WHO European Region. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2007a). Steps to health. A European framework to promote physical activity for health. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010).

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WHO Regional Office for Europe (2007b). WHO European Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Policy 20072012. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2007c). The European tobacco control report. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2008). The Tallinn Charter: Health Systems for Health and Wealth. WHO European Ministerial Conference on Health Systems: Health systems, health and wealth. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2009). The European health report 2009. Health and health systems. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/82386/E93103.pdf, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2010a). European Health for All database [online database]. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/hfadb, accessed 27 August 2010). WHO Regional Office for Europe (2010b). Nutrition Friendly Schools Initiative capacity-building workshop. Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe (http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-wedo/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/activities/capacity-building-workshops/nutritionfriendly-schools-initiative, accessed 27 August 2010).

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Annex 1. Countries responding to the survey by country group

European Region Albania Andorra Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Moldova Republic of Moldova Poland Poland Portugal Montenegro Netherlands Norway Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Italy Ireland Hungary Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Estonia Czech Republic Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Finland Denmark Bulgaria Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium CARK CIS
2

CSEC Albania

EU

Nordic

When the data were collected, the CIS consisted of (12 countries): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

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European Region Romania Russian Federation San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

CARK

CIS

CSEC Romania

EU Romania

Nordic

Russian Federation

Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Sweden

Tajikistan

Tajikistan The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Ukraine United Kingdom

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

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Annex 2. Response to the global surveys in 20002001 and 20092010 among WHO European Member States
The countries responding to both surveys, and used in trend analysis, are indicated in bold.
Countries responding in 20002001 Albania Countries responding in 20092010 Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Kazakhstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands

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Countries responding in 20002001 Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Moldova Romania Russian Federation San Marino

Countries responding in 20092010 Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Moldova Romania Russian Federation San Marino Serbia

Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan

Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom United Kingdom Uzbekistan

The WHO Regional Office for Europe The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations created in 1948 with the primary responsibility for international health matters and public health. The WHO Regional Office for Europe is one of six regional offices throughout the world, each with its own programme geared to the particular health conditions of the countries it serves. Member States Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Moldova Romania Russian Federation San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United Kingdom Uzbekistan

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen , Denmark Tel.: +45 39 17 17 17. Fax: +45 39 17 18 18. E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.euro.who.int