Vision and strategic directions

Why is united action for better health needed?

Health in the WHO European Region is generally improving, yet progress for all is under threat.

In recent years, people’s lives have changed beyond measure, due to globalization, migration and urbanization, climate change, resource scarcity and digitalization. Social and political norms, accepted for decades, are being questioned. An uncertain global economic outlook impacts public finances, which are challenged further by outbreaks and other security threats. Mental illness and noncommunicable diseases are rising sharply, and antimicrobial resistance puts our ability to treat common infectious diseases at risk. Populations are ageing, people place greater demands and expectations on health care, the cost of care and medicines is increasing, and there are shortages of and mobility issues with health professionals. Every country in the European Region faces these realities.

“Within this new landscape, the Region’s solidarity is a precious asset to be nurtured and preserved. Countries must work together to serve their citizens, learning from their successes and failures. Rapidly evolving developments, such as the digital revolution, can be turned into opportunities for better health. Through upholding everyone’s right to health, ensuring equity in health and providing universal health coverage, we create fair, safe and stable societies.” - Dr Kluge

To support countries, WHO/Europe seeks to deliver a new vision for health, “United action for better health”, using the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, and building on WHO’s global priorities.

What does united action mean?

“I have called my vision for health across the Region “United action for better health”. “United”, because partnership is for me an ethical duty, and “action” because during my campaign countries stressed that it is high time for WHO to move from the “what” to the “how”, exchanging knowledge to solve real problems. I have an integrated vision of health care and essential public health functions, putting people in the centre around strong primary health care.” - Dr Kluge

WHO/Europe has identified four priority areas to guide its work with countries and partners.

1. Tackling the main drivers of the disease burden

Escalating noncommunicable diseases and mental illness, increasing antimicrobial resistance and re-emerging infectious diseases can put security and population health at risk. WHO/Europe recognizes the need for a balance of health promotion, disease prevention and curative care solutions, tailored to Member State and subregional needs and contexts.

2. Addressing the determinants of health

Health is driven by many factors that lie outside the health sector, such as education, income and employment status, welfare benefits, housing and environmental conditions, and climate change. WHO/Europe understands that the provision of clear, actionable evidence showing the importance of investing in health and well-being is essential to equip health leaders with the information they need to advocate effectively for health across government and other sectors.

3. Transforming public health and health systems to put people first

Well-coordinated, people-centred health systems ensure better health outcomes, patient and provider satisfaction, and financial sustainability. To support countries to transform their health systems, WHO/Europe seeks to bring partners together and share evidence and examples of how effective health systems are developed. The key elements in such systems include good governance, health literacy, patient and health worker empowerment, motivating and building the skills of the health workforce, equitable financing models and access to essential medicines. Harnessing the potential of digital technologies and data-driven innovations, such as big data and artificial intelligence, is a key aspect of this.

4. Safeguarding all population groups

Health is a human right to which everyone is entitled, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, country of origin or financial means. In many cases, the health rights of single mothers and children, elderly people, the jobless, people living with HIV, migrants and others, are challenged. WHO/Europe pursues a life-course approach to health, paying particular attention to the rights of vulnerable groups in each country, and through its technical work and guidance it strives for an end to stigma and discrimination.

How will it be achieved?

“The Regional Office has one essential mission: inspiring and supporting Member States to improve the health of their populations at all ages. I am committed to providing pragmatic support to address health priorities in the WHO European Region that is both evidence-informed and driven by country needs.” - Dr Hans Kluge

Under Dr Kluge’s leadership, WHO/Europe will pursue 6 strategic directions:

• Provide a roadmap for the Region’s future to better health. WHO/Europe will support countries in identifying emerging challenges and opportunities, such as how to reconcile increasing health expenditure with limited economic growth, how to bring disease prevention and action on the determinants of health to the forefront of policy, and how to engage with citizens to improve their health and well-being. In addition, it will develop practical country-focused tools and instruments to address these.
• Ensure health security in the face of emergencies and other threats to health. Through the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, WHO/Europe will assist countries in strengthening their capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and other threats to health, through an intersectoral approach and in accordance with the international health regulations. It will ensure that the European Region continues to respond to global emergencies, and will establish an emergency fund, facilitate the national and regional mobilization of resources to affected countries, and set up a round-the-clock command centre.
• Empower people and increase health behaviour insights. To help create the conditions that make it easier for people to lead healthy lives, WHO/Europe will support ministries of health and health professionals to communicate effectively with the general public and increase digital literacy, harness the latest communications research and technological advances to promote health, work with partners to empower individuals and communities, and improve health literacy.
• Support health transformation at all levels of health systems. WHO/Europe will create and coordinate a pan-European Transformational Leadership Academy to support countries in scaling up effective and sustainable innovations to transform their health systems, develop practical tools and instruments, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences in policy implementation.
• Leverage strategic partnerships for better health. WHO/Europe will strengthen strategic coordination, collaboration and partnerships with the European Union, the Eurasian Economic Union, United Nations specialized agencies and other global organizations active in the European Region, health professional entities, civil society, informal carers and the private sector. Subregional networks, such as the Small Countries Initiative and the Regions for Health Network, will also be supported, and engaging with associations representing health professionals and patients will be prioritized.
• Take the Regional Office towards further excellence. WHO/Europe will place an emphasis on organizational agility and country focus in order to provide trustworthy and timely expertise relevant to all Member States across the Region. This will be achieved through continuous attention to structures and processes following the principles of transparency and accountability, optimal use of financial and human resources, support to achieving gender balance and staff representation, a respectful work environment, excellent communications and digital transformation.