Health 2020: agriculture and health through food safety and nutrition: sector brief on agriculture

Abstract

The Health 2020 policy framework has been adopted by all Member States of the WHO European Region in order to address Europe’s great social and health challenges, calling upon the health sector to reach out to, and work with, all the various sectors and parties in the continuous work of improving people’s health and well-being. Today, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases and their behavioural risk factors, which include unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity, account for the most preventable diseases and death in the European Region. We are also facing an emergence of new pathogens and the re-emergence of infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance (‎AMR)‎. By working together, the health and agriculture sectors can ensure policy coherence and deliver a safe and nutritious food supply that not only contributes to good health and well-being but also fosters healthy communities and economies.