European Heart Network (EHN)’s Post

A damning report from the World Health Organization’s European Office details how politics and economics, that push for ever more profit, have in fact a devastating effect on public health across the continent. The tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuel, and alcohol industries are together responsible for a third of global mortality, amounting to some 19 million deaths every year, including 2.7 million in the European region of WHO alone. But “There is a policy context that allows health-harming industries to thrive and cause an enormous burden of preventable death and disability”, explained Gauden Galea, Strategic Adviser to the Copenhagen-based WHO regional office. He added that “it would be a huge mistake to blame poor individual choices for smoking-related illnesses or obesity, when the real issue is that we have a sick society”. What do YOU think? Gauden Galea Bente Mikkelsen Francesco Branca Michael Thun Rüdiger Krech Maria Neira Mary Schubauer-Berigan World Health Organization WHO Regional Office for Europe #noncommunicablediseases #NCDs #publichealth #tobaccocontrol #alcoholcontrol #ultraprocessedfoods #fossilfuels #globalmortality #loiEvin #EMA #occupationaldiseases #lobbies #preventabledeaths #disability #healtheconomics #industryinfluence

Friday food for thought: Europe’s Commercial Determinants of Death - According to a recent WHO report, tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, and fossil fuels, all produced by a small number of transnational corporations, contribute to the annual death of 2.7 million Europeans. These corporations wield their economic and political power to thwart regulations that safeguard public health but jeopardize profits. WHO emphasizes the need for stringent regulations to counteract industry dominance and prioritize public health. Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke underscores the necessity to address the issue as a systemic problem, advocating for policies that combat 'hyper-consumption environments' and restrict marketing tactics. Learn more: [Link to WHO report] #PublicHealth #WHO #Europe #CorporateInfluence

The lack of open debate is reducing options for smokers who want to quit but haven’t been successful with the traditional methods. Advocating against reasonable regulation only drives illicit trade and dumping of potentially dangerous smoking alternatives. More debate please and let’s review the science with the an open mind.

WHAT WE DO | THEMATIC AREAS TOBACCO CONTROL WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY World No Tobacco Day World No Tobacco Day is an annual awareness day taking place on 31 May. It is organised to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption worldwide. World No Tobacco Day aims to draw attention to the business practices of tobacco companies to capture generations of consumers and their interference in policy decisions that undermine effective tobacco control. It serves to highlight what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic that kills up to half its users and contributes to more than eight million people dying every year, and what people can do to protect future generations and allow everyone the chance to claim their right to health. Every year, the theme of World No Tobacco Day addresses a specific issue related to tobacco and its industry. World No Tobacco Day was created in 1987 by Member States of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness of the harms caused by tobacco products to people, public health, communities and the environment. #SJNursingCare #healthylifestyle #notobaccoday2024

This report sheds light on the tactics industries employ to maximize profits and undermine public health, fueling inequality and rates of noncommunicable diseases. The actions identified for governments, academia, and civil society aim to reduce the commercial sector's disproportionate influence in health policy. #WHO #PublicHealth #NoncommunicableDiseases https://lnkd.in/gmC4w7NR

📢 Confronting alcohol’s costly toll: why the WHO European region needs clearer, evidence-based policy New commentary in the Lancet Regional Health Europe highlights the devastating impact of alcohol consumption in the European Region, which causes nearly 800 000 preventable deaths annually and costs up to 2.6% of GDP in high-income countries. Key messages: ➡️ Public awareness of alcohol’s health risks, including its link to cancer, remains dangerously low. ➡️ Industry-driven narratives downplay risks and hinder effective policy measures. ➡️ Evidence-based interventions—like alcohol pricing policies, availability and marketing restrictions and alcohol labelling — are proven to change environments, change narratives and reduce harm. 🛠️ The new Alcohol Policy Playbook is a vital resource for cutting through misinformation and advancing impactful policies. 🔗 Read the commentary: https://lnkd.in/ekwEeR7J Access the Playbook: https://lnkd.in/emmuHuZ4 The Lancet #AlcoholPlaybook #EVIDACTION #RedefineAlcohol

FOR THE TIME BEING, DUE TO THE CHANGING POLICY BY CURRENT USA ADMINISTRATION, GLOBAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ARE AT UNBEARABLE RISK! Undoubtedly, USA is going to suffer, and will lose it’s grip and supremacy in saving lives in LDC’s by withholding/withdrawing funding in the health care research and support in primary health care to eradicate/reduce global diseases! Because of the withdrawal of healthcare research funding, also through USAID, thousands of health care researchers in LDC’s are technically out of job by now, and the heath care research domain already start loosing quality healthcare researchers in highly subsidized rate globally! The positive side, in four years from now, countries (also Canada) will be able to stand on their own supremacy by cutting its dependence on 🇺🇸, and USA would be in difficult shape to regain their market supremacy in next ten to fifteen years!

Launched today: pioneering report from WHO Regional Office for Europe showing that four major industries: tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuel and alcohol - cause 19 million deaths annually AND that these industries use corporate interference strategies such as lobbying to obstruct public policies that could hurt their profits. In Europe these industries cause 2,7 million deaths per year - that is 7000 (!) people per day and WHO now urges countries to fight back by enforcing stronger regulations on the marketing of unhealthy products, monopolistic practices and lobbying. The report "Commercial determinants of noncommunicable diseases in the WHO European Region" is launched at a day-long forum on Commercial Determinants of NCDs (noncommunicable diseases) in Brussels by the Belgian Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, Mr Frans Vandenbroucke. Other invited speakers include representatives from e.g., WHO Regional Office for Europe, European Commission International Youth Health Organization EuroHealthNet King's College London and different Member States. #publichealth #health #NCD #SDG3 #fossilfuels #tobaccoindustri #alcoholindustry #UPF #food #lobbyism #governance #policy #EU #obesity #cardiovasculardisease #cancer #EUregulation https://lnkd.in/dfB6C4PW

Sweden has officially become the world’s first smoke-free country, marking a significant milestone in public health. On November 13, Sweden was recognized for having less than 5% of its population smoking, well below the global benchmark of 5%. According to health department statistics, only 4.5% of the Swedish population smokes, compared to 24% in the rest of Europe. This achievement is attributed to Sweden’s proactive policies on tobacco alternatives and nicotine cessation. Volunteer organizations working to reduce smoking believe Sweden's success lies in the government's strong focus on providing safer substitutes for cigarettes. This momentous achievement demonstrates how effective, progressive public health policies can save lives and set an example for the world. Key reasons behind Sweden's progress: ● Strict Tobacco Control Policies ▪️High Taxes on Cigarettes ▪️Comprehensive Smoking Bans ▪️Advertising Restrictions ● Widespread Use of Snus ▪️Cultural Shift to Snus: Sweden has a long tradition of using snus, a smokeless tobacco product. ● EU Exemption for Snus: ● Strong Public Health Campaigns ▪️Awareness Campaigns ▪️Support for Quitting ● Low Social Acceptance of Smoking ● Focus on Harm Reduction ▪️Sweden’s harm-reduction approach, particularly promoting snus as a safer alternative, has played a key role. This contrasts with many countries that focus solely on cessation or abstinence.

An important report from the World Health Organization on the commercial determinants on noncommunicable diseases‎ in the WHO European Region. Four corporate products – tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels and alcohol – cause 19 million deaths per year globally, or 34% of all deaths. In the European Region alone, these industries are wholly or partly responsible for 2.7 million deaths per year. The report calls on governments to implement mechanisms to identify conflicts of interest and protect public policies from industry interference. A must read for everyone with an interest in public/global health, policy making, and just anyone who would like to understand better how our behaviour and unhealthy habits are being formed. https://lnkd.in/edhT4Zzk