ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The three main European scientific societies in the cardiometabolic field – the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) – joined the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Wellness Olivér Varhelyi to promote the launch of the first European screening week, never. The initiative stems from the observation that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity are among the most urgent health challenges in Europe. Often coexist, they are deeply interconnected and represent an increasing burden for people, families, operators and health systems. The scale of the challenge is evident: cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of mortality and morbidity in the EU, representing a death on three – 1.7 million deaths in 2022 – and hitting about 62 million people. Diabetes affects 35.3 million people in the EU, while about one adult on six suffers from obesity. Diabetes and obesity are serious diseases of themselves and, in addition to this, they represent important risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, along with hypertension and high cholesterol.
Too often these diseases are detected only when symptoms appear or when complications have already developed. The first EU screening Week is an opportunity to move from a reactive approach to disease to early and timely intervention. Under the slogan “Know your numbers – Know your values”, the campaign encourages people to control key health indicators – including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol – and take preventive measures faster. European Commissioner for Animal Health and Wellness, Olivér Varhelyi, commented: “Prevention cannot wait. This is why we are launching the first European Week of Screening: to encourage people across Europe to know their values and to act for their health. By sensing public opinion and making screening more visible and accessible, we can help identify risks in advance and prevent serious cardiometabolic diseases before complications arise. Prevention begins with awareness: you know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. I invite all citizens to undergo control, turn to a health care worker and take their health in hand. The EU Council Recommendation on health controls, recently published, strengthens this message and encourages Member States to introduce comprehensive health controls to support early prevention and diagnosis across Europe.”.
Professor Cecilia Linde, president of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), underlined: “For too long, the possibilities of a person to prevent cardiovascular diseases have been influenced by factors outside their control, including the place of residence, gender or socio-economic conditions. Screening is our chance to change this situation. By identifying risks early and providing people with timely assistance, we can help ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to live a longer and healthier life. This is not only an investment in the health of today’s population; it is an investment in our children, in our communities and in the future of Europe.” Professor Francesco Giorgino, President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), added: “ Too many people still live with type 2 diabetes without knowing it, sometimes until complications have already been developed. Screening can help us identify the risk in advance and act first. Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore requires an accurate prevention strategy. Prevention must also include people with type 1, diabetes who in turn face a growing cardiovascular risk over time. Early intervention and better prevention can reduce complications and improve the quality of life.”.
Professor Volkan Yumuk, President of the European Association for Obesity Study (EASO), said: “Obesity is at the heart of cardiometabolic health. It is a chronic disease in itself and one of the main factors determining type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other serious complications. If Europe really wants to engage in prevention, we must identify and address obesity at a more early stage. This means going beyond the only body mass index (BMI) and ensuring that screening, diagnosis and management of obesity, based on scientific evidence, are integrated into health systems. The European Week of Screening is an important opportunity to put into practice an early, integrated and person-centered action.” Professor Chantal Mathieu, President of the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF), concluded: “This is a historical moment in which cardiovascular diseases, with the two most serious diseases associated with them, diabetes and obesity, take a central role. The European Commission has clearly taken the necessary momentum to present Europe a plan to prevent, identify and better manage all forms of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. With the support of the EU Commission and under the guidance of these three solid scientific organizations, our Member States must now do one thing: translating the plan into action. And start with screening during this European Week of Screening.”.
– photos of repertoire IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
