The aim of this action is to contribute to reducing the burden caused by NCDs and communicable diseases and their risk factors, supporting Member States’ actions. The action targets:

a) Sub-topic (a): NCDs and their risk factors, including NCDs not covered by the strands of the ‘Healthier Together’ EU NCD initiative and targeting vulnerable groups of the population, such as children, young people and the elderly (e.g., auto-immune diseases, chronic kidney diseases and liver diseases, musculoskeletal disorders); and, support to the implementation of the planned Commission proposal for a revision of the 2009 Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments.

Sub-topic (a) is linked to and supports the activities under DP/CR-g-24-27 Direct grants to Member States’ authorities: Health promotion and disease prevention including smoke- and aerosol- free environments.

Sub-topic (a):

Activities will aim to:

a) support Member States’ priorities and actions on addressing NCDs, in particular for vulnerable groups, such as children, young people and the elderly;

b) build on the advice and momentum from the planned revised Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments, supporting Member States’ priorities and actions to implement that recommendation.

More specific activities will include:

a) the development and piloting of best and promising practices, innovative and cost effective approaches and research results on prevention of NCDs and risk factors;

b) the roll-out of already identified best practices and innovative approaches with the overall goals of protecting people in the Union from exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols and of strengthening the coordination of activities among Member States.