WHO/Europe and EuroHealthNet sign agreement to collaborate on addressing health inequalities and promoting sustainable development
WHO
WHO/Europe and EuroHealthNet have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a legal basis for collaboration on health promotion, health equity, investments for health, sustainable development, and prosperity for people and planet.
The agreement was signed during EuroHealthNet’s Annual General Council Meeting by WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, and EuroHealthNet President, Dr Mojca Gabrijelčič.
Speaking at the signing, Dr Kluge said: “Partnerships are at the centre of the European Programme of Work 2020–2025 (EPW) – ‘United Action for better Health in Europe’, which serves as a compass for WHO/Europe and its 53 Member States. The programme sets out a vision of how we can meet citizens expectations about health. It is also perfectly aligned with the EuroHealthNet’s overall goal, to ensure that health promotion, preventative approaches and tackling health inequalities are put into policy and practice”.
Dr Gabrijelčič added: “Together we will develop intelligence and solutions for healthy lives for all, and work towards the Sustainable Development Goals. This will be a welcome boost for the organizations that make up the EuroHealthNet partnership: public health institutes and authorities, regional and local health agencies, and research and practice organizations. We look forward to providing useful inputs to the European Programme of Work in the coming 5 years and to capitalize on EuroHealthNet’s work with European Union institutions”.
Partnerships at the centre
This partnership forms another collaboration between WHO/Europe and other organizations working to strengthen health across the Region, as outlined in the EPW.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities within and across societies around the world. Concerns remain that without coordinated action, these inequities could impact the health of individuals and societies in the longer term.
The central pillars of the EPW and WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work focus on ensuring more people have universal health coverage, and better health and well-being, and are better protected from health emergencies. Cooperation with partners is vitally important to achieving these goals.
EuroHealthNet is a not-for-profit partnership of organizations, agencies and statutory bodies working on public health, disease prevention, promoting health, and reducing inequalities. EuroHealthNet’s mission is to improve and sustain health between and within European states through action on the social determinants of health, and to tackle health inequalities. For further information visit the EuroHealthNet website at the link below.
