Improving Cancer Prevention & Health Policy in Norway

27 February 2024

ECO was pleased to take part in the recent kick-off meeting of the EU4Health-funded PreventNCD Joint Action.

Led by the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, this ambitious project brings together more than 100 partners from 25 European countries, all focused on combating cancer and non-communicable diseases through strategic research, impactful public health campaigns, and well-informed policymaking.

The meeting provided an opportunity to connect with many dynamic organisations and individuals in Norway championing the fight against cancer. This included the Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen), and leading members of the Norwegian Parliament including Health Committee Chair Tone Wilhelmsen Trøen and Health Committee Member Kamzy Gunaratnam.

Discussing the new Joint Action Project and meetings with Norwegian stakeholders, Norbert Couespel, senior coordinator for policy research at the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), said: 'It was a privilege to be a part of this exciting new project in Norway, a real demonstration of how Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan expands cooperation beyond EU borders. This is a strong message of ECO’s Time to Accelerate: Together Against Cancer manifesto. Cancer knows no borders, nor should we. Projects like PreventNCD are a tangible demonstration of how we can meet the challenges of improving cancer and NCD control as one.'

The Joint Action Project supports strategies and policies that reduce the burden of cancer and NCDs, focusing on both personal and societal risk factors. The project seeks to minimise fragmentation and duplication of effort and to enhance the impact of actions taken.

You can read more information about the PreventNCD Joint Action here.