Life-style
Life-style related health determinants are multi-dimensional. These determinants are linked to number of major health problems. Also, some health issues share same determinants such as tobacco, alcohol, and nutrition.
Health problems linked to life-style related health determinants can be life-situation specific e.g. in childhood or in old age, but they can also be strongly linked to cultural aspects. In addition, socio-economic factors are an important reason for variations in health. Addressing these factors will be considered in all actions aimed at tackling lifestyle-related health determinant. Comprehensive health promotion in various settings e.g. schools, workplaces, families and local communities has proven to be efficient in addressing health determinants.
All these dimensions (determinants, health problems, life cycle, settings) are linked to each other. Depending on the situation, action focussed on a specific disease or on a specific determinant can be justified. Equally population group or setting specific actions, which simultaneously address all relevant health determinants, can be the most efficient approach in many situations.
Tobacco
Smoking, the leading cause of death in the Community. Tackling smoking requires an integrated strategy on tobacco control which involves measures taken both at the level of the Member States and the Community.
Nutrition
Nutrition is recognised as one of the major health determinants. It is, together with smoking and physical inactivity, one of the main determinants for cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Drug and Substances
The majority of European citizens believe that the fight against drugs should be tackled at EU level rather than at national level.
Mental Health
There is no Health without mental health. The public health approach to mental health and mental illness is based in a population-based model characterised by concern for the health of a population in its entirety and by an awareness of the linkage between health and the physical and the psychosocial environment.
Alcohol
In Europe alcohol per capita consumption is the highest in the world, causing a high burden of disease and injury. There is agreement among the Member States that, beyond individual national efforts to combat alcohol-related harm, a joint alcohol strategy at Community level is needed, in particular with regard to children and adolescents.