News

WHO/Europe’s Regional Director discusses European Programme of Work in latest podcast episode 21-09-2020

In the latest episode of the Health in Europe podcast, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge discusses the formation of the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, and how it will improve health in the WHO European Region over the coming years. Dr Kluge also explains how the EPW’s development was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how citizens can get involved to help make the EPW a reality.

WHO/Europe and the Turkic Council sign a memorandum of understanding strengthening new partnerships in the WHO European Region 16-09-2020

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Mr Baghdad Amreyev, Secretary General of the Turkic Council, signed a memorandum of understanding between WHO/Europe and the Turkic Council on 11 September 2020.

In brief: the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC70) 15-09-2020

For the first time, the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Among the highlights of this year’s session was the endorsement by Member States of the European Programme of Work (EPW). The EPW sets down a 5-year vision of how WHO/Europe and Member States will work together to meet citizens’ expectations for health.

Member States continue to drive financial support to WHO/Europe 15-09-2020

A total of US$ 210 million (€177 million) in specified voluntary contributions was received by WHO/Europe for the first half of 2020, from 81 contributors. A large proportion of this amount (59%) was from Member States, followed by intergovernmental organizations – mainly the European Union (EU) (17%), United Nations organizations (6.5%), partnerships (6%), and non-state actors (including philanthropic foundations, private sector entities, academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations) (4%).

Ministers back 5-year plan to put health in Europe on track 14-09-2020

Today, ministers of health and public health leaders from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region endorsed a new 5-year vision, the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, that sets down how WHO/Europe and its Member States will work together to meet citizens’ expectations for health.

WHO/Europe and the European Commission agree future common action in 5 key areas 14-09-2020

WHO/Europe and the European Commission issued a Joint Statement to further boost their already strong partnership and adapt it to new health priorities and emerging challenges.

Digital health: transforming and extending the delivery of health services 09-09-2020

Digital health is a broad category encompassing electronic health, mobile health, telehealth and health data, among others. It offers solutions that can strengthen health systems, such as bringing health services directly to people’s homes and to underserved communities, helping to map outbreaks of disease, and integrating digital tools that make health care more responsive and productive.

WHO Regional Director for Europe gives update on the work of the Regional Office ahead of virtual Regional Committee 09-09-2020

Ahead of the 70th Regional Committee (RC70), to be held virtually for the first time, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge gave an update on the recent work of WHO’s Regional Office for Europe with the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC). The meeting of the SCRC continued its preparations for RC70, including nominating officers, creating a credential committee and establishing a short list of candidates for the Executive Board and Standing Committee. This session also marked the final time that Dr Søren Brostrøm will chair the SCRC.

Health priorities for the European Region and COVID-19 in focus at WHO annual meeting 08-09-2020

On 14–15 September 2020, health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, along with partner organizations and civil society, will meet virtually for the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC70), the Region’s annual decision-making meeting.

Unleashing the potential of vaccines for a healthier Europe 02-09-2020

Compared to every other WHO region, the European Region has the lowest mortality figures for children under the age of 5. The Region has been free from poliomyelitis since 2002, and many Member States have also stopped the endemic spread of measles and rubella.

Inaugural meeting of Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development takes place 28-08-2020

The inaugural meeting of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development took place on 26 August, bringing together the Commission’s members for the first time to review the objectives and agree the terms and scope of the Commission.

WHO/Europe to establish a mental health coalition to support system reforms and COVID-19 recovery 26-08-2020

This week marks the launch of one of WHO/Europe’s new flagship initiatives: mental health. Mental health is a key public health concern in the WHO European Region – over 110 million people are living with some kind of mental health condition, accounting for over 10% of the population.

Tailoring health interventions: behavioural and cultural insights for health 19-08-2020

Behavioural and cultural insights are still relatively underutilized in global health. By drawing on fields outside of medicine such as the social sciences and health humanities (including anthropology, history, sociology and psychology), it is possible to develop more effective health interventions.

Announcing the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development: Rethinking Policy Priorities in the light of Pandemics 11-08-2020

The WHO Regional Office for Europe is convening a Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development to rethink policy priorities in the light of pandemics.

New 5-year programme for health in Europe on the agenda at virtual annual meeting 03-07-2020

The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC70), the annual meeting of the governing bodies of the European Region, will be held on 14–15 September 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held virtually with a reduced 2-day programme.

WHO/Europe launches new podcast – Health in Europe 01-07-2020

Health in Europe is a new podcast from the WHO Regional Office for Europe. WHO works with thousands of inspiring and driven individuals and groups, and this podcast is about hearing their stories and how they might impact your day-to-day life.

Non-State actors share views on WHO/Europe’s forthcoming European Programme of Work 30-06-2020

WHO/Europe held its first-ever virtual consultation with non-State actors (NSAs) as part of the open consultation process of the European Programme of Work (EPW) “United action for better health”.

Have your say on WHO/Europe’s proposed European Programme of Work 18-06-2020

WHO/Europe has launched an online consultation on its proposed European Programme of Work (EPW) entitled “United Action for Better Health”. The EPW sets out the future priorities for WHO’s Regional Office for Europe building on the mandate that the WHO’s Regional Director for Europe received from Member States after his election last year.