Mapping Salt Reduction Initiatives in the WHO European Region Final
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Mapping salt reduction initiatives in the WHO European Region Mapping salt reduction initiatives in the WHO European Region ABSTRACT Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality globally, accounting for more deaths than all other causes combined. An urgent development issue, NCDs strike hardest at the world’s low- and middle-income populations, where nearly 80% of NCD-related deaths occur. In order to reduce the growing burden of NCDs, WHO recommends reducing salt intake in the general population as a cost-effective strategy. Measures in this direction are considered a “best buy” approach to preventing NCDs. Salt is a commonly used term referring specifi cally to sodium chloride (5 g salt 2 g sodium). The positive health impact of reducing an individual’s salt intake is refl ected in scientifi c evidence of a corresponding reduction in blood pressure, among other benefi ts. Accordingly, WHO recommends a population salt intake level of less than 5 g per person per day for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Salt intake in most WHO European Region countries is far above the suggested amount. The purpose of this report is to present an up-to-date view of current salt reduction initiatives in WHO European Member States by highlighting activities related to the action points of the relevant global frameworks. Keywords CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES – prevention and control DIET, SODIUM-RESTRICTED – utilization HYPERTENSION – prevention and control NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY SODIUM CHLORIDE, DIETARY Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Offi ce for Europe to: Publications WHO Regional Offi ce for Europe UN City, Marmorvej 51 DK–2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Alternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Offi ce web site (http://www.euro.who.int/). © World Health Organization 2013 All rights reserved. The Regional Offi ce for Europe of the World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. 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CONTENTS Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................................................... v Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................................... v Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................1 Background ...................................................................................................................................................1 WHO and international initiatives for reduction of salt intake.......................................................................2 Rationale and impact of salt reduction measures.........................................................................................3 Methods of policy survey and analysis ..............................................................................................................4 Sources of evidence .....................................................................................................................................4 Data extraction .............................................................................................................................................5 Structure of the analysis ...............................................................................................................................5 Salt reduction initiatives: country profi les ..........................................................................................................6 Albania ..........................................................................................................................................................6 Andorra .........................................................................................................................................................6 Armenia ........................................................................................................................................................6 Austria ..........................................................................................................................................................7 Azerbaijan .....................................................................................................................................................7 Belarus ..........................................................................................................................................................7 Belgium ........................................................................................................................................................7 Bosnia and Herzegovina ...............................................................................................................................8 Bulgaria .........................................................................................................................................................8 Croatia ..........................................................................................................................................................9 Cyprus ..........................................................................................................................................................9 Czech Republic ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Denmark ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Estonia ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 Finland ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 France ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Georgia ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 Germany ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Greece ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 Hungary ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Iceland ........................................................................................................................................................18 Ireland .........................................................................................................................................................18 Israel ...........................................................................................................................................................20 Italy ............................................................................................................................................................21 Kazakhstan .................................................................................................................................................22 Kyrgyzstan ..................................................................................................................................................22 Latvia ..........................................................................................................................................................22