This document summarizes a speech given by Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, on prevention of age-related diseases in women. The summary includes: 1) Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for women over age 75 in Europe. 2) Mortality rates from cardiovascular disease have declined for both men and women over age 75 since 1981. 3) Women over age 75 are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and hypertension than men, while men are more likely to die from tobacco use and alcohol use. 4) Strategic areas for action include promoting healthy aging over the lifespan, supportive community environments, strengthening health systems, and addressing gaps in

1. Prevention of age-
related diseases in
women in Europe:
hearing of the of the European People’s Party
Group at the European Parliament
ZsuzsannaJakab,
WHO Regional Director
for Europe

2. World Health
Day 2012
European
Union (EU)
Year for Active
Ageing and
Solidarity
between
Generations
Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2012

3. Mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the WHO
European Region, females aged 75+, 2006–2010 (latest year
available)
Source: WHO European mortality
database, 2011 .
Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2012

4. Mortality trends from CVD in the WHO European Region,
ages 75+, by sex, 1981–2010
Females
CIS
CARK
EU12
EU15
CARK: central
Asian republics
and Kazakhstan
CIS CIS:
Males
Commonwealth
of Independent
States
CARK EU12: EU
EU12 members after
May 2004
Source: WHO European mortality EU15: EU
members before
database, 2011 EU15 May 2004
Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2012

5. Mortality patterns in the WHO European Region,
by age and sex, 2006–2010
Source: WHO European mortality database,
2011. Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2012

6. Four strategic areas for action
Healthy
ageing over Supportive
the life- environments
course
Strengthen
Address
health
gaps in
systems for
evidence and
ageing
research
populations

7. Active ageing makes the difference:
a life-course perspective
Source: Active ageing. A policy framework. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2002.

8. Causal chains: ischaemic heart disease
Source: WHO global burden
of disease and risk
factors, 2009.

9. WHO ischaemic heart disease risk-prediction charts
(example below for situations where serum cholesterol is measurable)
Brussels, Belgium
7 June 2012

10. Deaths attributable to risk factors, by age and sex:
middle- and lower-income countries in Europe (%)
Males Females
High blood pressure
Overweight and obesity
Tobacco use
Physical inactivity
Tobacco use
Alcohol use

11. Action at the local level: sustained policy
commitment to healthy ageing

12. Health systems fit for ageing populations
• Universal coverage, including for services for
prevention and rehabilitation at higher ages
(risk of social exclusion of women, many of
them living alone and on inadequate pensions)
• Public support to (women) informal caregivers
to maintain their health
• Better quality of and protection for older people
in need of social services (long-term care),
most of whom are women

13. Mapping actions to strategic areas
Healthy Supportive Health
ageing communities systems
Vaccination and
Falls Social isolation control of
prevention infections
Physical activity Quality of care
Basic home care support
Geriatric and gerontological staff capacity
Prevention of elder maltreatment
Evidence and research

14. “I really don’t feel
old. There are so
many things that my
husband and I enjoy
doing together, so I
must say I question
whether we can be
considered old.”
www.euro.who.int/ageing
Thank you!