The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the deteriorating health indicators across Europe, despite the region’s reputation for high-quality healthcare. The latest European Health Report, published on Tuesday, paints a troubling picture of worsening health outcomes, from childhood wellness to chronic disease management, across 53 member states.
The report, which is released every three years, serves as a policy guide for Europe as it grapples with unprecedented health challenges. These include the spread of health misinformation, workforce shortages, an aging population, and the effects of climate change.
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted in the report is the persistence of health inequities across the continent. Although Europe boasts some of the lowest child mortality rates globally, preventable deaths still vary dramatically, with rates ranging from 1.5 to 40.4 deaths per 1,000 live births between countries.
In 2022, over 75,000 children died before reaching age 5, with the leading causes being complications related to preterm birth, birth asphyxia, congenital heart problems, respiratory infections, and neonatal sepsis.
The report also underscores alarming trends in youth health. Mental health issues are increasingly prevalent, with one in five adolescents affected. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. Other pressing issues include widespread cyberbullying, tobacco use, and an escalating childhood obesity epidemic, which now affects nearly one-third of school-aged children.
Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, emphasized the detrimental effects of an increasingly interconnected world. “In our online and interconnected world, our young people are ironically feeling lonelier than ever before, with many struggling with their weight and self-confidence, setting them up for poor health as adults,” Kluge said. WHO/Europe, alongside UNICEF, is preparing to present a new child and adolescent health strategy later this year.
While 10 countries have met the WHO’s targets for reducing major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), the report reveals that one in six Europeans still dies prematurely from NCDs, with cardiovascular diseases and cancer each accounting for a third of these deaths. The burden of cardiovascular diseases is especially high in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where the risk is nearly five times greater than in Western Europe.
Europe also maintains the highest alcohol consumption rates globally, with adults consuming an average of 8.8 liters per year, while tobacco use remains stubbornly high at 25.3 percent. This trend threatens the achievement of the WHO’s 2025 smoking reduction target.
Kluge criticized the lack of attention to noncommunicable diseases, despite them accounting for 90 percent of all deaths in the region. “Interestingly, cancer incidence is higher in Western and Northern Europe compared to Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent. These discrepancies are influenced by differences in living conditions, health behaviors, and the effectiveness of health systems,” Kluge noted.
The report also draws attention to the growing threat of climate change, which is exacerbating health problems in the region. Europe is warming at twice the global rate, contributing to 175,000 heat-related deaths annually. Additionally, the healthcare sector itself is responsible for 5 percent of global emissions, further compounding the issue.
“The climate crisis is only making matters worse by driving disease burdens across the spectrum, especially chronic disease,” Kluge concluded.
As Europe faces these mounting health challenges, the WHO urges member states to adopt comprehensive strategies to address both current and future health risks.
Related topics
