The Division of Prevention and Health Promotion of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Collaborating Centre at Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University are now accepting applications for the 2027 summer school “Systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and a healthy ageing population in the WHO European Region”.
The summer school explores the theory and use of systems thinking and systems-based approaches to tackle the complex challenges of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. Its aim is to build participants’ capacity and expertise in the application of systems-based methods for problem-solving and innovation, and to translate these methods into practical strategies that advance NCD prevention and promote healthy ageing. Participants can expect a combination of interactive learning, hands-on exercises and project-based work, including the opportunity to apply systems-thinking approaches to their own projects, ensuring that learning is directly relevant to their professional context.
The school will support participants to:
understand systems-thinking theory, techniques and tools;
acquire the ability to identify and analyse key problems related to NCD prevention and healthy ageing, ensuring that their solutions are rooted in user needs and aspirations;
innovate to address challenges in NCD prevention and healthy ageing;
identify common patterns in complex systems and how to mitigate them to implement policies and strategies more effectively; and
develop skills to transfer research into policy.
The summer school is designed for PhD students and early and mid-career professionals, including researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policy-makers interested in applying systems thinking and systems-based approaches to advance evidence-based policies, strengthen multisectoral collaboration and improve policy implementation through innovation.
Background
The WHO European Region continues to face a considerable burden from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are the leading cause of death and disability in the Region and account for more than 80% of all deaths. Across the Region, one in five men and one in 10 women before the age of 70 die from major NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
Approximately 1.8 million avoidable deaths from NCDs occur each year in the Region. Around 60% are associated with preventable risk factors and could be avoided through effective public health interventions, and 40% are considered treatable through timely access to high-quality health services.
Progress has been made, and mortality from several NCDs and risk factors has declined over time. However, the pace of progress remains insufficient to meet many agreed global targets, and recent years have brought significant setbacks.
Some risk factors are also moving in the wrong direction. WHO/Europe estimates that almost 60% of adults in the Region live with overweight or obesity, as do approximately one in three school-aged children. These trends are shaped by wider food, economic, social, commercial and physical environments.
Insufficient physical activity remains a concern, and tobacco and alcohol continue to contribute substantially to premature mortality.
The economic consequences are considerable. Annual productivity losses associated with avoidable NCD mortality are estimated at approximately US$ 514 billion. NCD prevention is not only a health challenge; it remains a significant factor for economies, workplaces, communities, social protection and sustainable development.
Population ageing, demographic change, urbanization, technological developments, environmental pressures, changing food and commercial environments, and economic uncertainty are creating both opportunities and challenges for public health. These changes are interconnected. The challenge is to understand how these changes interact and how health systems and societies can adapt.
The Region has considerable evidence on the factors contributing to NCDs and on interventions that can help prevent and control them. Countries need to translate this knowledge into sustained, equitable and effective action.