WHO is working with Romania to ensure that everyone in the country can live a healthy and active life, regardless of their age, gender, educational level or geographical location. The goal is to support the health and well-being of the population by fostering an environment that promotes healthy choices.
Currently, Romania has the third-highest rate of preventable deaths in the European Union (EU), with cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer and alcohol-related deaths being some of the leading causes. Additionally, deaths from treatable conditions, such as prostate and breast cancer, occur at more than twice the rate of other EU countries.
While health outcomes in Romania have improved over the last 20 years, progress has been slowed by issues such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, air pollution and physical inactivity. Access to health care also varies across the population, with inequalities based on income, location (whether people live in urban or rural areas) and social circumstances further hindering improvements in health and well-being.
To address these challenges, WHO and the Ministry of Health of Romania have identified a set of priority areas for action that will guide WHO’s work in Romania between 2024 and 2030. While the country cooperation strategy (CCS) outlines the overall health goals for the next 7 years, the biennial collaborative agreements provide detailed plans of the services and support that WHO will offer during this time.
These frameworks will also contribute to implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), a European Commission initiative aimed at driving structural transformation in the country. Its areas of focus include facilitating and accelerating the digital transition in health care while increasing resilience, cohesion and sustainable growth.