Event highlights
13 September 2023
Takeaways from WHO European regional consultation on NCDs in emergency preparedness and response: from permacrisis to resilience
Over 2 days, participants listened to contributions from WHO experts, researchers and public health leaders from European Region countries worst impacted by recent crises.
The so-called permacrisis, including 3 grade 3.0 emergencies in the Region within the last 3 years – COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and the devastating earthquake in Türkiye – plus other natural and environmental disasters, such as, extreme temperatures, related fires, floods and dust storms, has hugely impacted those living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Five country cases – Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan and Malta – set the scene, highlighting specific types of emergencies, and led participants from other countries to share their experiences. Country representatives, experts, partners and non-state actors discussed practical NCD actions based on examples of good practice to strengthen governance, coordination, financing, and health system preparedness, response and resilience. They also discussed NCD measures that need to be incorporated into the new WHO Preparedness 2.0 strategy and action plan.
Key NCD priority areas and next steps
Participants identified key priorities for action on NCDs and potential next steps, as outlined below.
Data to enhance impact in preparedness and health system resilience, including:
- identification of the most vulnerable groups, including those living with chronic diseases;
- modelling and production of forecast scenarios to improve resource allocation and coordination of support;
- strengthening of information systems, electronic health records, NCD surveillance and monitoring;
- creating networks and integrated platforms across services;
- building research capacity, including fast-track research for NCDs in emergencies.
Country packages to support the building of resilient health systems and communities for NCD preparedness in all emergencies, including:
- country capacity-building;
- adaptation of NCD “best buys” for acute and protracted emergencies;
- essential NCD services package, including the NCD kit;*
- modelling emergency pathways and continuity of care within the whole NCD care cycle;
- engagement with communities and people living with NCDs.
Addressing commercial determinants of NCDs in emergencies, including:
- scalable manufacturing platforms, agreements for essential NCD medicines and devices, and technology transfer to deliver equitable access;
- strengthening coordination of global and national procurement and supply chain management for emergency distribution;
- financial modelling and forecast scenarios designed for NCD needs in emergencies.
All participants identified support for innovation in responding to the needs of people with NCDs, particularly in emergencies, as one of the most important areas for attention. Countries committed to integrating NCD measures in emergency preparedness and response, to build resilient health systems and societies.
* The NCD kit is a box containing the essentials needed to treat people with NCDs in outpatient primary care settings. Each box is for 10 000 people.
Event notice
5 – 6 September 2023
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions are a major threat to people’s health, leading to 90% of all deaths in the WHO European Region. This threat does not go away even during emergencies, and is often exacerbated as our attention is set on short-term or acute hazards, such as infections or traumas.
WHO/Europe has identified 15 countries and territories that are prone to emergencies due to geographical or other reasons, and where vulnerabilities in health systems can hinder abilities to respond to hazards.
Not only traumas: disasters fuel NCD-related deaths
Data shows a substantial rise in NCD cases and related deaths during humanitarian crises. For instance, heart attacks and strokes increase up to 2–3 times immediately after disasters. Emergencies increase trauma and injuries, further degrading the health of people living with respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes and severe renal conditions.
This happens due to disruptions in access to medicines and health-care services, and major interruption to normal living conditions.
Large-scale disasters, recurrent heatwaves, forest fires, dust storms, floods and the potential for other emergencies, such as volcanic eruptions, make preparedness, response and resilience work for those with and at risk of NCDs even more critical.
To discuss all of these issues, WHO/Europe is organizing an online meeting to address these risks across the WHO European Region, and to advocate for the inclusion of NCD prevention and management in country preparedness and emergency response plans.
Both days of the event will be streamed online, at 09:00–12:30 Central European Summer Time. To watch the livestream, please use the link below.
Future of emergencies: questions to be discussed
The event will bring together prominent experts and decision-makers from across the European Region, to discuss:
- How can governments and health systems be prepared for future humanitarian crises?
- What challenges in managing NCDs have been revealed and what lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, humanitarian crises and other disasters, both across the Region and globally?
- How can WHO support countries to integrate NCD prevention and management in emergency strategies?