The report finds that chronic conditions account for 83% of all diseases in the country. Cancer is the most prevalent, affecting around 20% of patients, followed by cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, mental health conditions, neurological illnesses, and diabetes. The figures show that nearly one in four adults is affected by at least one chronic illness, a situation the Observatory says can and must be addressed.
Many of the causes are well known and should come as no surprise: smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, and a lack of physical activity. All are clearly identified in the report as the main risk factors. While these risks are widely recognised, changing behaviour at a societal level remains challenging.
Tanja Ducomble, an epidemiologist at the National Health Observatory, explains that these habits have become deeply ingrained in everyday life in Luxembourg.
“We struggle because sitting for long periods, eating highly processed food, smoking and drinking alcohol have absolutely become social norms in Luxembourg”, she said. “That makes it very difficult to break away from them. This is why we focus on population-level interventions that can help change the environment and, ultimately, change social norms. Everyone can take part in that.”
The report notably finds that living more healthily should not rest solely on individual responsibility. Instead, society must create conditions that allow people to make healthier choices easily. Tobacco pricing is cited as a clear example. According to modelling based on Luxembourg data, a sustained increase in cigarette prices over several years could lead to a measurable reduction in chronic diseases within a relatively short period: “Within five years, you can already see a decline in chronic illnesses, particularly cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases”, Ducomble said. “Over a longer timeframe, the benefits also of course extend to cancer and other conditions.”
Similar conclusions apply to alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, healthy eating habits remain far from widespread. Only one in seven people reports eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Levels of physical activity are also less than optimal.
A 2022 study of children and adolescents aged 11 to 18 found that just one in six met the minimum recommended level of physical activity in the week prior to the survey. For adults, health guidelines advise at least 150 minutes of moderate to intensive exercise per week, or up to 300 minutes when including lighter activities such as gardening. The National Health Observatory warns that without stronger prevention measures, chronic diseases will continue to rise, leaving society increasingly unwell.
“Luxembourg’s population is projected to grow by around a third by 2050, largely because people are living longer”, Ducomble said. “If chronic diseases start earlier in life and we fail to stop this trend, we risk growing old in poor health. That would not only affect quality of life but also place a large financial strain on society.”
The report also notes that chronic illness rarely occurs in isolation. Around half of people over the age of 45 who have a chronic condition suffer from more than one.
