Europe is facing a mounting health crisis, with rising rates of chronic diseases, stagnating vaccination coverage, and a growing mental health epidemic among young people, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The findings, published in the European Health Report on Tuesday, highlight the urgent need for action to address the challenges, as health systems across the region struggle to cope with the dual pressures of climate change and an aging population.
The report reveals that one in six people in the WHO European Region—which includes 53 countries across Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia—die before their 70th birthday from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. The diseases are driven by factors including tobacco and alcohol use, poor diets, air pollution, and physical inactivity.
Europe has the highest alcohol consumption in the world, averaging 8.8 liters of pure alcohol per adult annually, with the EU recording the highest intake. Tobacco use remains “unacceptably high” at 25.3 per cent, while obesity affects a quarter of adults and is on the rise.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge urged Europe to “confront the root causes of chronic disease, from tobacco and alcohol use to poor access to healthy and nutritious food, to air pollution, to a lack of physical activity.”
Mental health crisis, stagnating vaccination, preventable diseases
Mental health issues among children and teenagers are a growing concern, with one in five adolescents in the region grappling with a mental health condition. Suicide is the leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds, and cyberbullying has emerged as a significant issue, affecting 15 per cent of adolescents.
Unhealthy lifestyles are also prevalent among young people. Nearly one in three school-aged children is overweight, with one in eight living with obesity. Additionally, about 11 per cent of teenagers used some form of tobacco product in 2022, including e-cigarettes.
The report also highlights stagnating routine vaccination rates, which have led to a resurgence of preventable diseases. For example, measles cases across 41 WHO Europe member countries surged 30-fold in 2023 compared to the previous year, with 58,000 cases reported.
Infant mortality, while low overall, varies significantly across the region. Nearly 76,000 children die before their fifth birthday each year, primarily due to preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia, congenital heart anomalies, lower respiratory infections, neonatal sepsis, and other infections.
Kluge emphasised the interconnectedness of health across the life cycle.
A healthy child is more likely to grow into a healthy adolescent, a healthy adult, and a healthy older person. This couldn’t be more crucial given the demographic shifts we are seeing.
As Europe confronts pressing health issues, the report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preventive measures and the need for coordinated action across governments, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure a healthier future for all.
