Endorse the Healthy Lifestyles for Europe Call for Action
The importance of health is unquestionable. Nevertheless, non-communicable diseases continue to be a large threat. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that typically arise from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors, and they tend to persist over a long period. Non-communicable diseases make up 74% of all deaths globally, every year. Out of all NCD deaths, 77% occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The Healthy Lifestyles for Europe (HL4EU) project aims to promote healthy living by bringing together different healthcare and support sectors. The initiative aligns with the European Commission’s goals to reduce the growing impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and decrease health inequalities across Europe.
In May 2024, the HL4EU project partners launched a Call for Action on “Enabling Cross-Sectoral Approaches for Healthy Lifestyles in Europe.” Launched by a mixture of NGOs and sector representatives from the physical activity, outdoor, sport, mobility, health, patient, and caregiver communities, the call aims to facilitate the creation of environments that support healthy living. Its objective is to drive transformative change, especially by advocating for preventative health measures.
The even greater news is that your organisation can still endorse the call!
The call has a clear set of objectives:
- Increase EU funding and initiatives to support collaborative platforms dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and make these resources more accessible.
- Conduct research on effective strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour.
- Integrate physical activity into clinical practice through screening, counselling, and referral programs.
- Implement policies that create supportive environments for physical activity, such as urban planning, transportation policies, and school-based programs.
- Mobilise communities to provide accessible and safe spaces for physical activity, including parks, active mobility infrastructure, and recreational facilities (both private and public).
That is not all! A follow-up conference will be held on 5 November in Brussels. The project partners will delve deeper into the Call for Action, discuss with experts from different sectors and talk about the next steps.