Mapping salt reduction initiatives in the WHO European Region

This report presents an up-to-date view of current initiatives to reduce salt intake in European countries, highlighting activities related to the action points of relevant global frameworks. WHO recommends a salt intake of less than 5 g per person per day to prevent cardiovascular diseases, but intake in most countries in the WHO European Region is far higher. WHO recommends reducing salt intake in the general population as a cost-effective strategy to reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Scientific evidence indicates that reducing a person’s salt intake leads to a corresponding reduction in blood pressure and other benefits. Measures in this direction are considered a 'best-buy' approach to prevention.

NCDs are the leading causes of death globally, accounting for more deaths than all other causes combined. An urgent development issue, NCDs strike hardest at the world’s low- and middle-income populations, accounting for nearly 80% of deaths.