Better noncommunicable disease outcomes: challenges and opportunities for health systems: Croatia country assessment: focus on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

ABSTRACT

In Croatia, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 93% of all deaths. They aff ect mainly the populationof working age, with an 18% probability of premature mortality from four leading NCDs. This has signifi cantsocioeconomic consequences on the development of the country, indicating that immediate action must betaken to strengthen the capacity of the health system to respond. Much progress has been made, with politicalcommitment to health reform; however, NCDs were targeted only recently. The assessment reported here,conducted by the WHO Regional Offi ce for Europe in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will form thebasis for integrated approaches to addressing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes in Croatia. Theauthors analysed the current capacity of the health system to prevent and control these NCDs and identifi edmajor health system challenges; the document also reports good practice in using information technology forintegrating patient information. On the basis of the assessment, recommendations are made for further policiesand action.