No region is immune to health crises.
People living with NCDs are often among those with less power, fewer resources, and limited health reserves, which makes them highly vulnerable during hazardous events. In the last 3 years, the WHO European Region has seen at least three Grade 3 emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, war, and environmental events, including earthquakes, heat waves, fires and flooding, have all strained health systems and resulted in population displacement and suffering.
Post-pandemic Europe cannot deal with health issues in isolation and should tackle them in the context of complex crises and inequity. Effort is needed to enable more fundamental, long-term, generational shifts that will make Europe more resilient to NCDs in the face of emergencies and disasters, in addition to work on the linkages between NCDs and the climate crisis.
SNI will address this by convening a regional consultation and a global conference on NCDs in Emergencies, working on the problem of NCDs among refugees and migrants, and contributing to the work on NCDs as part of pandemic preparedness and response.
Europe has a strong tradition of linking NCDs with environmental health, and this will be continued through seeking opportunities for collaboration and win–win scenarios, in areas ranging from green areas for physical activity to healthy nutrition and the carbon footprint of agriculture and the food system.
What will success look like?
Resilient governance
- Strong NCD prevention and control measures incorporated into the regional Preparedness 2.0 strategy and action plan on health emergencies.
- All countries adopting comprehensive prevention, preparedness, response and recovery plans, with strong protection of people with NCDs and exposure to NCD risk factors, and supported by strong coordination mechanisms, evidence and data, and adequate financing.
Resilient people and health workers
- All countries have clear health workforce repurposing and protection strategies in emergencies and capacity-building plans for NCD in all types of hazards.
- People living with NCDs and communities are empowered to influence and advocate for their needs and priorities in emergencies.
Resilient health systems
Strategies in health systems capacity building (5C approach) implemented in all countries:
- safe and scalable care, including essential health services and implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures for people living with NCDs;
- collaborative surveillance systems for essential health services;
- community protection and engagement;
- access to countermeasures, including a fast-track research agenda and support for innovation for NCD; and
- strong emergency coordination mechanisms.