Chronic diseases invade Europe

The European Commissioner in charge of health, Tonio Borg, has for the first time organised a summit in Brussels devoted to chronic diseases last week (3 and 4 April).  Chronic diseases have an impact extremely important on EU. And the trend is only getting stronger.

"We achieved many objectives through joint actions, but also through programs for financing at the level of Member States. But I think that (the chronic diseases) should occupy a more important place in the political calendar," has explained the commissioner in an interview in which he outlined the reasons justifying the organization of this summit of any emergency.

Catapano Alberico Crescitelli, professor in pharmacology at the University of Milan, told that European population lived longer thanks to better health systems. This has resulted in return an increase in the number of chronic diseases, as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia (concentration abnormally high or low fat in blood).  The conjunction of all these diseases has a strong impact on the companies, according to the professor.

Economic burden and slow policy

Because if we are to believe the general mutual for national education (MGEN) and the institute of polls Opinion Way, obesity is rapidly gaining ground across the whole of the EU. Even if the overweight and obesity could do not cause physical complications or major medical among young people they may trigger later psychological and social disturbances.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have already raised the problem. Despite these calls, the governments do not undertake actually in the fight against obesity, according to the European Center for international politicy economy (ECIPE).
"If the current trend continues, and if there is no change in health, the European governments will be quickly confronted with increased costs relating to the treatment of diseases and health problems related to obesity".

Catapano Alberico Crescitelli has indicated that political leaders had a short-term vision approach, whereas the long-term solutions would better assist the patients.

"This is what we lack currently, independent projects with a long-term, at a time of political interests and which serve the interests of population. As long as we are dealing with these short-term measures, we will have the results by the following ", has indicated the professor.

These measures include the OECD proposals: food education, physical activities at school or taxes on food rich in sugar and fat.

The results of a surcharging are not encouraging, according to ECIPE, because they depend on how governments use the generated revenues. In France, attempts have been carried out with a view to reinvesting the tax revenue in health sector, whereas in Denmark and Hungary such revenues have never been implemented in link with this sector.

Diabetes under the microscope

ECIPE also emphasized the need to take diabetes particularly seriously, because it is a chronic disease linked to heart disease and stroke. More than 9 % of European budget spent on health is allocated to diabetes. Some 32 million people suffer from effect of this disease and their number is steadily increasing.

A month ago, experts have called for carrying out actions against chronic diseases, because they have not only a strong impact on economy, but they also generate social inequalities.
Read also:
The cholesterol, a neglected disease

External Links: 

European Institutions

• European Commission: EU Register of nutrition and health claims made on foods
• European Commission: EU health budget 2014-2020
• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) : Scientific opinion on plant stanol esters and blood cholesterol
• MEP Heart Group: Cardiovascular Week : Mind your Heart - for a Heart Healthy Europe, 4-8 November 2013