About Health 2020

Health 2020 is the new European health policy framework. It aims to support action across government and society to: “significantly improve the health and well-being of populations, reduce health inequalities, strengthen public health and ensure people-centred health systems that are universal, equitable, sustainable and of high quality”.

The policy framework is evidence-based and peer-reviewed. It makes the case for investment in health and creating societies where health is valued. It details the ways that good health benefits all in society. Good health is vital for economic and social development and supports economic recovery.

It gives policy-makers a vision, a strategic path, a set of priorities and a range of suggestions about what works to improve health, address health inequalities, and ensure the health of future generations. It identifies strategies for action that are adaptable to the many contextual realities of the WHO European Region.

Health 2020 is the product of an extensive two-year consultation process across the Region and beyond, and was adopted by the 53 Member States of the Region during the sixty-second session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in September 2012.