Klaudia Tushi1, Ervin Toçi1,2, Genc Burazeri1
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania;
2Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania.
Aim:Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have set challenging objectives to be reached by 2030 for the governments worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate the SDG progress of Albania in relation to major lifestyle factors and its potential for meeting related targets.
Methods:A meticulous review of the most relevant available evidence related to the major lifestyle factors contributing to morbidity and mortality was carried out. Albania progress was tracked by comparing time-trends of prevalence of selected lifestyle factors, combined with trends of Government efforts, against related Non-communicable Diseases Global Monitoring Framework (GMF) and Albanian National Health Strategy 2016-2020 (NHS) targets.
Results:Based on the actual time trends and government efforts, the reducing of harmful alcohol use by 2030 could be met for both GMF and NHS targets, reducing tobacco use has already been met,reducing overweight and obesity has already been met with regard to GMF target and already met for children according to NHS target but it is possible/difficult to be met among adults, reducing physical inactivity has already been met for children and youth according to NHS target and it is possible for GMF target, increasing use of fruits and vegetables is possible for both GMF and NHS targets, reducing salt intake and use of sugary sodas and juices is possible for both GMF and NHS targets.
Conclusion: Based on the results and time trends obtained and assuming that all stakeholders will maximally commit and do their best on respective duties and responsibilities, Albania is likely to achieve some of the lifestyle-related SDGtargets on time or even earlier and will struggle to keep up with the achieving of obesity and raised blood pressure targets.
Keywords:Albania, lifestyle factors, prevalence, SDGs, trends.