The aim of this proposal is to submit proposal for two presidency conferences organized under the auspices of the Slovakian Presidency to the Council of the European Union. The Presidency conferences are to be partly financed under the work programme 2016. There are two conferences to be followed in this proposal: (1) a conference on ‘Prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles’ and (2) a conference on ‘Alzheimer’s disease - the epidemic of the third millennium. Are we ready to face it’?

(1) ‘Prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles’
The conference will focus on the impact of the reduction and elimination of risk factors causing non-communicable disease and support the EU aims in the area of chronic diseases mitigation.
The objective is to point to the issue of non-communicable chronic diseases and healthy lifestyle and to nourish the discussion to foster the topic on the European level.

(2) ‘Alzheimer’s disease - the epidemic of the third millennium. Are we ready to face it?
The aim is to promote research, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of dementia. Our aim also is to strengthen the coordination within Member states of relevant policies in the field of dementia and discuss development of the future steps in the area of dementia.

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Main objectives: The three main objectives of the proposal are: prevent avoidable cardiovascular diseases (CVD); strengthen the support for people with CVD; and reinforce cardiovascular research.

How to achieve: The whole population needs to be addressed as well as those at high risk of and those already living with CVD. Therefore, the proposal’s intervention logic is to target policy makers, especially at EU level, to effect changes in policies to achieve small reductions in risk factors across EU’s population of about 500 million, and thus reducing the overall number of people at risk of CVD. The intervention logic, with respect to individuals at high risk for CVD and those already living with it, is to enhance member organisations’ capacity to support patients and fund optimal research. Activities to underpin the intervention logic include a) effective dissemination to EU policy makers of evidence for action (advocacy); b) training and exchange meetings for member organisations (capacity-building and knowledge-sharing); and c) strategic interaction with stakeholders (cooperation/engagement with alliances).

Relevance to the work programme: Two priority areas of the 2017 work programme are: 1) prevention and health determinants; 2) chronic diseases. The proposal’s activities address these head on. CVD make up a substantial part of the chronic disease burden accounting for 19% of all DALYs (on a par with cancer). Tackling CVD is essential for the EU and its member states to achieve international targets on chronic diseases, i.e. a 25% reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2025; and to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one third by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 3). The proposal’s activities focus strongly on promoting cost-effective promotion and prevention measures in line, in particular, with the EU strategy on diet and nutrition. The proposal is highly relevant to third health programme’s thematic priorities
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