OECD: Cluster analysis of non-communicable disease burden, prevention and management across EU27+2 countries (21 May 2026)

Summary

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and disability in countries across the 27 European Union (EU) Member States, Norway and Iceland (EU27+2) and in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). While all countries are impacted by NCDs, there are substantial cross-country differences in the current burden of NCDs, the contribution of individual risk factors, and the outcomes of prevention and management efforts.

This OECD Health Working Paper finds that countries can be clustered into seven distinct groups of countries within the EU27+2, each with a unique NCD profile. In addition, the remaining 14 OECD countries were grouped, providing a broader international benchmark with corresponding comparative analysis.

World Patient Safety Day on the 17 September 2026 is focused on the theme “Safe care for non-communicable diseases”