Chronic non-communicable diseases in all developed countries of the world represent a public health priority and the main burden on the health care systems. The leading chronic non-communicable diseases – cardiovascular and malignant diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – cause three quarters of all deaths in Croatia and are the leading cause of morbidity. The increasing prevalence of certain chronic non-communicable diseases undoubtedly contributes to the aging of the population, as does the modern way of living, paired with urbanisation, industrialisation and harmful habits (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, etc.).
The Division for Epidemiology and Prevention of Non-communicable Chronic Diseases is responsible for the monitoring, analysis and prevention of the leading non-communicable diseases and systematic implementation of numerous campaigns aimed at the prevention of cardiovascular, malignant and chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental disorders, injuries, as well as other non-communicable diseases.
Division tasks:
- Monitoring and epidemiological analysis of morbidity and mortality of chosen priorities in the field of non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, malignant neoplasms, mental disorders, injuries, chronic respiratory diseases and other);
- Monitoring and analysis of risk factors for certain non-communicable diseases of public health importance;
- Coordination of the National Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Programme and the National Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme;
- Management of the Cancer Registry, Mortality Statistics (Reports on Deceased Persons), as well as the Committed Suicides Registry and the Psychoses Registry;
- Implementation of preventive campaigns;
- Research in the field of non-communicable diseases;
- Participation in the drafting of proposals for programmes of health care measures
- Proposing primary, secondary and tertiary prevention measures and procedures, and participating in their organisation and implementation, with special emphasis on integrated programmes
- Proposing, encouraging and participating in the organisation and implementation of health education and health promotion programmes
- Monitoring and evaluation of individual programmes
- Advancement of computer data processing, analytical procedures and information system
- Participation in the drafting of strategic documents
- Conducting special analyses and studies for the needs of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatia and other clients
- Participation in EU-funded projects
- Cooperation with the World Health Organization, EU health authorities and other international organisations in the field of non-communicable diseases
- Writing publications
- Participation in the professional training and education of health professionals
- Participation in the prevention of COVID-19 and research on the association of comorbidities in persons who contracted and died from a COVID-19 infection