News

Belarus, Denmark, France and Slovenia to fill seats on the WHO Executive Board 02-11-2020

Following the results of a secret ballot postal voting process, earlier this week the Deputy Executive President of the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Dr Iva Pejnović Franelić, announced that Belarus, Denmark, France and Slovenia would put forward their candidatures for the WHO Executive Board at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2021.

Cities against COVID-19: citizens seek a “better normal” of urban life 30-10-2020

World Cities Day on 31 October 2020 is an opportunity for WHO to draw attention to the major role urban communities are playing in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooperation between ordinary city dwellers, local authorities and health professionals across the WHO European Region has helped countries respond to the disease while striving to minimize socioeconomic impacts.

Brest, France, tackles food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic 30-10-2020

Brest, France, was heavily bombed in 1944 but quickly and impressively rebuilt itself with high ambitions and an innovative vision. Now, the city is solving the puzzle of food insecurity during the pandemic using a novel approach integrated into social protection programmes and a digital platform.

Fanny Lopez, paediatric nurse supporting premature newborns and their parents 28-08-2020

“I am always amazed to see the potential and will in newborns to grow and develop. As caregivers, we are there help them develop to their full potential. Our care and support are particularly important when they are born premature,” says Fanny Lopez, a paediatric nurse working in the intensive care unit of the neonatal unit in Centre Hospitalier Rives de Seine, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

WHO addresses European Parliament on COVID-19 response 01-07-2020

On 25 June, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge spoke to the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) about the global response to COVID-19. They highlighted the leadership of the European Union (EU) at this unprecedented time and responded to questions from Members of the European Parliament.

WHO report on health behaviours of 11–15-year-olds in Europe reveals more adolescents are reporting mental health concerns 19-05-2020

In around a third of countries, the report reveals a rise in adolescents feeling pressured by schoolwork and a decline in young people reporting to like school. The report also discloses that over 1 in 10 adolescents report having been cyberbullied at least once in the past two months.

France: data collection helps policy-makers devise careful prevention strategies to improve adolescent health 18-05-2020

In France, researchers working on adolescent health found that merging 2 major surveys could innovate the collection of public health data on young people and deliver more accurate insights on which to build policies.

Moving towards a multisectoral approach to tackling antimicrobial resistance 19-03-2020

A new publication produced by WHO’s European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and published by Cambridge University Press outlines the need for multisectoral approaches – involving disciplines such as human medicine, veterinary medicine, agricultural sciences, epidemiology, economics, sociology and psychology – to address the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The publication goes on to describe the potential economic and policy responses for tackling the challenge of AMR in the European Union.

Well-prepared laboratories are first line of defence against novel coronavirus in Europe 07-02-2020

Timely detection of a contagious pathogen is vital to controlling its spread. In response to the emergency of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), WHO is working closely with a network of designated laboratories in the WHO European Region and other WHO regions to ensure that every country has the capacity and resources required to quickly test, report and respond to any suspected cases of the disease. In particular, WHO/Europe is facilitating shipment of testing kits, within a month of the virus first being isolated.

Standing up for health for all 06-02-2020

Dr Hans Kluge, the new WHO Regional Director for Europe, opened a country briefing yesterday to showcase collaboration between the Ministry of Health of Lithuania and the WHO Country Office in Lithuania. The briefing took place during WHO’s Executive Board meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. WHO/Europe has provided such briefings at several recent governance meetings in order to increase Member States’ understanding of WHO’s work and impact at the country level.

Antimicrobial stewardship course now available in French 27-09-2019

More than 25 000 people have taken the massive open online course “Antimicrobial stewardship: a competency-based approach” since January 2018. Now, for the first time, the course will be available in French.

Community pharmacists on the frontline of health care 25-09-2019

Gilles Bonnefond has worked as a pharmacist in Montélimar, France for more than 25 years, and is witness to the evolution of the role of community pharmacists from dispensers of medicines to primary health care professionals. On World Pharmacists’ Day, Gilles’s story illustrates the frontline role that community pharmacists are increasingly playing in delivering health care.

Member States to reflect on 10 years of progress in public health and set health priorities for Europe at RC69 15-07-2019

On 16–19 September 2019, health ministers and high-level representatives of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, along with partner organizations and civil society, will gather for the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC69).

Simulated poliovirus containment breach helps countries increase biorisk safety and security 01-11-2018

Preparing for biosafety accidents helps to prevent them and limit their impact should they occur. In the WHO European Region, 12 countries plan to keep polioviruses for vaccine manufacturing or critical research purposes after the virus is no longer circulating anywhere in the wild; to do so, they must apply for certification of a poliovirus essential facility (PEF), where the materials can be safely stored and contained.

Launch of Global Health and Education UNESCO Chair 23-10-2018

Pressing issues around the health of children and young people across the globe are to be addressed by a newly formed United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair in Global Health and Education, focusing on health education and promotion. The Chair was launched on 10 October 2018, with more than 200 participants from over 40 countries attending at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

West Nile virus infections spike in southern and central Europe 21-08-2018

West Nile virus (WNV) infections have sharply increased in 2018 as compared to the previous 4 years. This is largely due to the early start of the 2018 transmission season in the WHO European Region, which normally lasts from July to October. This year’s season has been characterized by high temperatures and extended rainy spells, followed by dry weather. Such weather conditions have been conducive to mosquito breeding and propagation.

Seventy-first World Health Assembly comes to a close after charting a new course for WHO 29-05-2018

The Seventy-first World Health Assembly took place on 21–26 May 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. Over the course of the 6 days, delegates charted a new course for the Organization.

Salmonella contamination of infant formula 22-12-2017

The French public health agency identified an outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Agona associated with infant formula products manufactured by the Lactalis Nutrition Santé group in France. As of 21 December, 35 confirmed cases of Salmonella Agona infections among infants aged less than six months have been identified in different regions of France. Sixteen infants have been hospitalized but all have fully recovered and no deaths have been reported.

WHO Director-General announces leadership team 03-10-2017

Five members of the senior leadership team announced on 3 October 2017 by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, are from the WHO European Region. The team of 14 comprises former ministers of health, some of the world’s leading physicians, scientists and researchers, and programmatic experts.

Alcohol and pregnancy on the agenda at the National Public Health Conference in France 11-07-2017

Professionals working in the health, social and educational sectors of public health in France met in Paris for the National Public Health Conference on 30 May to 1 June 2017. The newly established Santé publique France, which now serves as the national public health agency, organized the event.

World Health Assembly Day 5 & 6: delegates discuss International Health Regulations, human resources 29-05-2017

Decisions taken by delegates at the World Health Assembly focused on implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) and improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Delegates emphasized the urgent need to achieve full implementation of the IHR. Public health prizes were also awarded.

World Health Assembly Day 4: polio, pandemic influenza preparedness and health workforce in focus 29-05-2017

On Day 4 of the World Health Assembly, delegates made decisions relating to poliomyelitis (polio), the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework and the health workforce. Side events focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

New French health strategy for people in the criminal justice system published 19-05-2017

The new French health strategy for people in the criminal justice system was published in April 2017, setting out a framework for prison health involving intersectoral collaboration between the health and justice systems, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.

France becomes one of the first countries in Region to recommend colour-coded front-of-pack nutrition labelling system 22-03-2017

France’s recent decision to recommend the Nutri-Score system, a straightforward labelling system that uses colour codes to guide consumers at a glance on the nutritional value of food products, marks an important achievement for nutrition in the WHO European Region. It will build on other ongoing efforts in the country to create healthy food environments.

Expansion of molecular diagnostics in the WHO European Polio Laboratory Network 14-02-2017

WHO/Europe has offered support to all laboratories in the WHO European Polio Laboratory Network to increase their poliovirus diagnostic capacities by upgrading to poliovirus intratypic differentiation (ITD). As a first step towards ITD implementation, WHO/Europe organized a hands-on workshop on 23–26 January 2017 in Tel Hashomer, Israel, for 11 virologists from WHO-accredited national polio labs in Albania, Belarus, France, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Report on prison health governance in France 04-01-2017

The Inspectorate-General of Social Affairs (IGAS) and the Inspectorate-General of Judicial Services (IGSJ) were entrusted with the task of evaluating the 2010-2014 Strategic Action Plan on the Health Policy for Persons in the Hands of Justice and, more generally, prisoners’ access to health and social rights in France.

Day 2: new European platform for partnerships across sectors, United Nations agencies and civil society 13-12-2016

The second day of the high-level conference Working together for better health and well-being focused on how to implement intersectoral and cross-governmental policies. A common observation among delegates was the need to identify and communicate co-benefits for sectors other than health in order to generate effective, sustainable partnerships. They agreed to establish a new platform to improve and implement collaboration.

Day 1: Working together for better health and well-being 08-12-2016

Engaging children and young people as co-creators of health, together with the social, education and health sectors was a common theme on the first day of the High-level Conference Promoting intersectoral and interagency action for health and well-being, held in Paris, and hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of France.

Conference on health and climate sets European priorities 15-07-2016

WHO estimates that climate change will cause over 250 000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, as a result of factors including air pollution; an increase in food-, water-, and vector-borne diseases; extreme weather events; and food insecurity. At the Second Global Conference on Health and Climate, experts from the European Region identified key priorities to build health systems' capacity and create climate-resilient societies.

World No Tobacco Day Awards 2016 recognize several countries in European Region 27-05-2016

WHO gives the World No Tobacco Day awards every year to carefully selected individuals and/or organizations in recognition of their accomplishments in tobacco control and in the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

A successful health system undergoing reforms to improve efficiency and reduce inequalities 13-01-2016

While the French health system meets its goals of full coverage, access without waiting lists, patient choice and satisfaction, challenges still remain.

Multiple outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry in France 12-01-2016

Since late November 2015, France has been fighting avian influenza outbreaks in domestic birds and poultry in backyard and commercial farms. Increased surveillance has resulted in the detection of multiple strains of avian influenza virus H5 in the southwest of France.

What to do in heatwaves: public health advice 02-07-2015

As the European Region enters the warm season, the public, medical professionals and public health authorities must prepare for eventual heat-waves and hot spells.

Using price policies to promote healthier diets 23-03-2015

Several countries in the WHO European Region have now introduced health-related taxes or subsidies on specific foods and/or nutrients to positively influence dietary intake and health outcomes. A new publication provides information on the use of price policies to promote healthy diets and summarizes recent policy developments from different parts of the Region.

Four confirmed cases of Chikungunya in France 30-10-2014

On 21 October 2014, WHO was notified of four laboratory confirmed cases of locally acquired chikungunya fever in Montpellier, France.

France announces plan to implement plain packaging with its new National Programme on the fight against tobacco 27-10-2014

France ranks among the ten countries with the highest smoking prevalence worldwide: 36% of adults and 20% of children aged 15 currently smoke. This must change, according to Mrs Marisol Touraine, the French Minister in charge of Social Affairs and Health. The new National Programme on the fight against tobacco aims to protect youth from starting smoking, to help smokers to quit and to influence the tobacco economy by introducing plain packaging and banning advertisement and promotion of e-cigarettes.

Paris declaration on green and healthy mobility and transport signed 16-04-2014

On 15 April 2014, European ministers attending the Fourth High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and Environment, hosted by the Government of France, adopted the Paris Declaration: City in Motion – People First!. The Declaration sets priorities and calls for action to ensure green and healthy mobility and transport to secure sustainable livelihoods for all.

Cycling can create at least 76 600 jobs and save 10 000 lives every year in major European cities 14-04-2014

Over 76 600 people would be employed in green and healthy transport every year and 10 000 lives would be saved if major European cities reached the cycling modal share of Copenhagen. This is the conclusion of a new publication released today by UNECE and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Two confirmed cases of Chikungunya on Caribbean island of Saint Martin 11-12-2013

As of 10 December 2013, a total of two confirmed, four probable and twenty suspected cases of chikungunya infection have been reported on Saint Martin/ Sint Maarten.

World Health Assembly, day 2: General Programme of Work for next 6 years approved 23-05-2013

The World Health Assembly approved a resolution on the General Programme of Work and changes to the financial regulations and rules on 21 May 2013.

High-level French delegation visits WHO/Europe 26-04-2013

Mr Cyril Cosme, Head of Department with Responsibility for European and International Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Vocational Training and Social dialogue and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of France, and Ms Brigitte Arthur, Head of the Office of International Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, visited WHO/Europe on 25 April 2013. They met with Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and other staff to discuss WHO/Europe’s activities and the framework for partnership between France and WHO/Europe.

98 cities now designated in Phase V of Healthy Cities 12-11-2012

Congratulations to the cities of Grasse in France and Novi Sad in Serbia. They have been designated in Phase V of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and will join other cities working toward the common goal of striving for health and healthy equity in all local policies.

World Health Assembly, day 2: resolution on noncommunicable diseases approved 24-05-2012

A resolution on strengthening noncommunicable disease policies to promote active ageing was approved by countries on the second day of WHO’s global annual meeting.

Five Europeans receive 2012 World No Tobacco Day awards 23-05-2012

WHO honoured five people from across the European Region for their work in fighting the global tobacco epidemic and promoting tobacco-control initiatives and policies.

France report calls for action to bring adult smoking to 15% by 2025 09-03-2012

In France, the latest information (2010) indicates that 32% of men and 26% of women smoke daily. This daily smoking rate for women is among the highest in the world.

93 cities now designated in Phase V of Healthy Cities 17-11-2011

Congratulations to the cities of Copenhagen in Denmark; Nantes in France and Cork in Ireland. They have been designated in Phase V of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and will join other cities working toward the common goal of striving for health and healthy equity in all local policies.

Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 30 22-07-2011

The number of new cases of Escherichia coli O104:H4 infection in Germany and France is much diminished. The figures reflect some delayed reporting, and the evidence indicates that the outbreak, which took 50 lives in Germany alone, is nearly over.

Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 29 07-07-2011

On 5 July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued the report from the Task Force established to coordinate investigations to track down the possible source of the French and German outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4. Details of the task force report and its conclusions can be found on the EFSA website.

Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 26 29-06-2011

On 28 June 2011, the Institut de veille sanitaire published new figures for the verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in Bordeaux, France. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.

Outbreaks: update 25: new VTEC cases in France and Sweden 28-06-2011

On 24 June 2011, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.

EHEC outbreaks: update 24: France reports 8 cases in new outbreak 27-06-2011

Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Germany has declined significantly. On 24 June, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/HUS with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases.

Ministers push environment and health commitments forward 05-05-2011

Environment and health ministers, meeting in Paris this week, have agreed on how to monitor progress in reducing the adverse health impact of environmental threats across the European Region. The first meeting of the European Ministerial Board on Environment and Health took place on 4-5 May 2011.

European ministers discuss health needs of people displaced by north African crisis 13-04-2011

Today, European health ministers and high-level officials met in Rome to improve international cooperation and coordination on the health issues related to the mass migration resulting from the crisis in northern Africa.

Measles outbreaks across Europe show no sign of slowing 12-04-2011

Countries in the WHO European Region continue to battle large measles outbreaks that are spreading between countries and to other regions of the world. To date, 24 countries in the Region have reported measles cases in 2011.

84 cities now designated in Phase V of Healthy Cities 01-03-2011

Dunkerque, France has been designated in Phase V of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and will join other cities working toward the common goal of striving for health and healthy equity in all local policies.