News

Norway: Pilot study reveals staggering amount of unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children and adolescents 03-03-2021

According to a new study conducted by the Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), 8 out of 10 food and drink advertisements aimed at children in Norway violate WHO guidelines and promote unhealthy nutrition. The research used the CLICK framework – a tool that helps monitor and restrict marketing of unhealthy products to children, developed by the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.

Leaving no one behind: access to rehabilitation services is an integral part of universal health coverage 22-12-2020

Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the full range of health services they need – including rehabilitation – without experiencing financial hardship. It is vital that rehabilitation services are recognized as an integral part of universal health coverage if we are to build an equitable society.

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.

Measles and rubella elimination: verification process continues amid COVID-19 pandemic 13-08-2020

Public health systems and independent national verification committees in countries of the WHO European Region have shown continued commitment to measles and rubella elimination even with the COVID-19 pandemic creating an extraordinary burden on health systems.

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.

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.

Towards an agreement for improving access to high-cost medicines 21-02-2020

Convening an expert meeting to explore ways to improve access to expensive medicines which are important for improving people’s health was the focus of the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge’s visit to Brussels earlier this week. The meeting, convened by WHO/Europe, was hosted by the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI-RIZIV).

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.

WHO/Europe and Norway discuss improving affordable access to innovative medicines 16-01-2020

All countries across the WHO European Region face a challenge in ensuring that high-value but expensive medicines are available in a sustainable way to people who could benefit from them.

Violence against children: tackling hidden abuse 13-01-2020

Each year, at least 55 million children experience some form of violence in the WHO European Region, including physical, sexual, emotional and psychological violence. Despite the magnitude of this figure, it is well established that incidents of interpersonal violence are widely underreported.

Nordic countries working together to sustain measles and rubella elimination 20-12-2019

The Finnish national verification committee for measles and rubella elimination officially joined the Scandinavian Verification Committee, representing Denmark, Norway and Sweden, on 4 December 2019 in Helsinki, Finland. This development will strengthen the Nordic countries’ collaboration in assessing measles and rubella surveillance and immunization data.

A quarter-century of regional health 19-11-2019

From its launch in 1993 to the present day, the Regions for Health Network (RHN) has worked towards ensuring that no one is left behind on health matters around Europe.

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).

Every day, about 800 people in Europe die from alcohol-attributable causes 11-01-2019

According to a recently published WHO fact sheet, Europe is still challenged by the need to reduce the burden of alcohol. Levels of alcohol consumption, and harm attributable to alcohol, remain very high – causing about 800 deaths a day.

Celebrating success and inspiring progress on World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse 19-11-2018

In the WHO European Region, it is estimated that 55 million children are subject to some form of violence each year. On World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, WHO/Europe highlights examples of good practice from around the Region related to the prevention of child maltreatment.

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.

New perspectives for public health services partnerships in the Republic of Moldova: transposing Norwegian experience 09-05-2018

A delegation from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova and representatives of the newly created National Public Health Agency visited the Ministry of Health and Care Services of Norway and other public health institutions on 19–23 March 2018.

Nordic countries publish new protocol for monitoring food marketing to children 10-04-2018

As part of their efforts to tackle childhood obesity and promote healthy diets, 5 Nordic countries have launched a joint initiative to monitor food marketing to children in their countries using fully comparable methods. The aim is to use the monitoring to inform evaluation policy decisions on this topic.

Celebrating the contribution of migrants to communities across Europe 18-12-2017

In the WHO European Region, there are more than 87 million international migrants, accounting for approximately 9.6% of the total population. On International Migrants Day, WHO/Europe recognizes and celebrates the important role that migrants play, and the great economic and social benefits arising from migration. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also recognizes the positive contribution of migrants.

Workshop on law and tobacco control in Europe: domestic, regional and international legal issues 14-12-2017

WHO/Europe together with the Norwegian Cancer Society and La Ligue contre le cancer organized a workshop on law and tobacco control in Europe. It focused on legal issues on domestic, regional and international levels.

Regions for Health Network in action: study visit from Varna Region to Ostfold 20-11-2017

On 23–26 October 2017, within the framework of the Regional Partnership for Health and Sustainable Development project, a team from the Varna Region in Bulgaria undertook a study visit to the region of Ostfold, Norway. The objective of the visit was to exchange good practice in the development of regional health policy.

World Hepatitis Day: making hepatitis elimination a reality 27-07-2017

The campaign for this year’s World Hepatitis Day, held annually on 28 July, is “Eliminate hepatitis”. It commemorates global, regional and country efforts to combat viral hepatitis and provides a powerful opportunity to increase public awareness of the devastating disease, advocating improved access to and availability of testing, treatment and preventive measures.

WHO European Region moving closer to control of hepatitis B 27-07-2017

An estimated 15 million people in the Region are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and 56 000 die annually from the late effects of chronic infection, including liver cancer.

World Health Assembly Day 9: Assembly closes after 9 days covering 78 agenda items 01-06-2017

Member States adopted numerous decisions and plans on a wide range of public health issues during the Seventieth World Health Assembly, which closed on 31 May 2017. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was elected as the new Director-General of WHO, and will begin his 5-year term on 1 July 2017.

World Health Assembly Day 8: progress on addressing noncommunicable diseases in focus 31-05-2017

Delegates endorsed an updated set of policy options and interventions to help countries meet global targets to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It places a particular focus on measures to reduce people’s exposure to factors that increase the risk of developing NCDs. These include taxing tobacco and sugar-sweetened beverages, banning tobacco advertising and reformulating food products to reduce salt content.

World Health Assembly Day 7: global action plan on response to dementia agreed 30-05-2017

On 29 May 2017, delegates agreed on a global action plan to ensure that work to address dementia is prioritized. In 2015, dementia affected 47 million people worldwide. This is set to increase to 75 million in 2030. The action plan requires Member States to develop, strengthen and implement policies for dementia; respect the equity, dignity and human rights of people with the disease; and support the needs of carers.

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).

World Health Assembly Day 2: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus elected new Director-General 24-05-2017

On 23 May 2017, the Member States of WHO elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the new Director-General of WHO.

High level meeting to stop violence against children in Oslo, Norway 15-05-2017

Around 80 participants attended a high level meeting on the prevention of violence against children on 24 April 2017 in Oslo, Norway. The meeting was organized by Dr Anne Lindboe, the Norwegian Ombudsman for Children, and attended by Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway. Dr Lindboe welcomed participants and spoke about the importance of greater emphasis on the prevention of violence against children. Ms Solveig Horne the Minister of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion explained that the meeting had been called prior to a parliamentary debate that would emphasize the need for greater prevention of violence to children.

Measuring primary health care performance: what’s new? 20-04-2017

In their pursuing to meet global commitments, countries of the WHO European Region are renewing their commitment to primary health care (PHC) as a means of improving responsiveness and bringing cost-effective health services closer to individuals, their families and communities.

Scandinavian partnership to support public health change agents 10-04-2017

The Norwegian WHO Healthy Cities Network has joined forces with its fellow networks in Denmark and Sweden to contribute to the development of a new course, the aim of which is to build competencies and know-how among those working to improve health and well-being and reduce health inequities at a local level. Their practice requires being able to bridge policies, sectors and people throughout government and in wider society. Competencies and know-how in areas such as agenda-setting, navigating complex systems, and building and sustaining alliances are essential to achieve this and will be focal elements of the course.

“RØRE 6–19”: a health promoting school project in Norway 05-04-2017

Østfold – a member of the Regions for Health Network (RHN) – is a county in south-eastern Norway, bordering Akershus and south-western Sweden. There are 290 000 inhabitants across 18 municipalities within the county. National statistics show that the inhabitants in Østfold are scoring low on several public health measures compared to the rest of Norway; that is, the education level is lower, there are more health problems and, overall, there are social inequalities in health.

New course builds “soft skills” for greater health equity and well-being in policy 01-07-2016

On 8–10 June 2016, WHO/Europe held the first "flagship" course on Equity in Health in All Policies (eHiAP). The course is designed to build capacity in the "soft skills" needed to bridge policies and sectors to ensure greater health equity and well-being. The soft skills required for policy implementation are agenda-setting, stakeholder analysis and negotiating with a wide range of policy-makers. The participants included individuals from the Nordic and Baltic countries who work at national, regional and local levels to shape and implement policies to improve health outcomes.

Workshop on standardized tobacco packaging in Europe 17-06-2016

On 9–10 June 2016, WHO/Europe, the Norwegian Cancer Society and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer (Australia) jointly conducted a workshop in Roskilde, Denmark on legal issues relating to the implementation of standardized tobacco packaging in Europe.

Reducing inequalities in children’s health care in Østfold County, Norway 13-06-2016

138 families in Fredrikstad, Østfold County (Norway), are participating in a pilot project to enhance the attachment between parents and children, and to strengthen parenting skills by offering new parents extra home visits of a nurse and parenting classes during the first 2 years after birth. This is one of several initiatives involving schools (including kindergartens) and child health care centres to reduce social inequalities in health. Most young children in Norway regularly attend a health care centre during their early years.

Norway announces decision to send bill on plain packaging to Parliament 31-05-2016

On World No Tobacco Day, the Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services, Bent Høie, has announced Norway's decision to follow Australia's lead in introducing plain packaging of tobacco products.

Regions for Health Network Steering Group plans next steps 26-04-2016

The first face-to-face meeting of the Regions for Health Network (RHN) Steering Group took place on 18–19 April 2016 in Venice, Italy. Steering Group members discussed the steps taken since RHN was revitalized in 2012, and identified crucial milestones for the current biennium 2016–2017.

Achieving better health for all in Slovenia 14-04-2016

On 30 March 2016 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the National Institute of Public Health organized a conference on a community-based approach to support and meet the health needs of local populations.

National conference presents new HBSC report in Poland 01-04-2016

The Polish Ministry of Health, the Institute of Mother and Child, and the WHO Country Office in Poland organized on 15 March 2016 a national conference presenting the new HBSC report "Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people's health and well-being".

Injury surveillance workshop for south-eastern European countries 30-11-2015

20 participants from 8 south-eastern European countries attended an expert meeting on the surveillance of non-fatal injuries on 12–13 November 2015 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.

Vaccinating salmon: how Norway avoids antibiotics in fish farming 29-10-2015

 Norway has cut antibiotic use in salmon – one of the principal foods consumed in the country and a major export – to virtually zero. This has led to a flourishing industry and a reduction in the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans.

Eliminating trans fats in Europe 21-09-2015

The WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020 mandates WHO to work with countries to develop and implement national policies to ban or virtually eliminate trans fats from the food supply.

South-Trøndelag County, Norway: challenges of rapidly changing demographics 02-09-2015

On 28 August 2015, Ms Brit Skjelbred, County Governor and Dr Jan Vaage, Chief County Medical Officer of South-Trøndelag County, Norway, led a delegation of 32 people on an official visit to WHO/Europe where they met Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

Norway works towards the adoption of plain packaging 13-03-2015

The Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services announced  that the Government initiated a consultation on a proposal to introduce plain packaging legislation in Norway. The Government proposal means that all tobacco products sold in Norway will have standardised packaging. The goal is to prevent tobacco use among children and young people. Smoking remains one of most significant public health challenges in Norway. Every year, about 6600 people in Norway die from diseases caused by smoking.

Feeding the world safely 25-11-2014

The importance of food safety as an essential element of food and nutrition security was discussed as part of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), held in Rome last week.

Norway provides mobile X-ray machine for Serbia 07-11-2014

The severe flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia in May 2014 affected more than 1.6 million people, and damaged or destroyed many health facilities. For example, it destroyed medical equipment and supplies in the general hospital in Loznica, western Serbia. 

Nordic countries committed to tackling health inequities 02-09-2014

Participants at the 11th Nordic Conference on Public Health, organized by the Nordic Societies for Health and Well-being and held in Trondheim, Norway on 27–29 August 2014, negotiated and signed the Trondheim Declaration, committing themselves to contributing to increasing Nordic collaboration for equitable health and well-being in the Nordic region, and reducing global health inequities. The Declaration recognizes the key role of Health 2020, as the European framework and strategy to improve health and well-being.

Four more cities designated to WHO European Healthy Cities Network Phase VI (2014-2018) 01-09-2014

Four more cities designated to WHO European Healthy Cities Network Phase VI (2014-2018)

13 cities designated to WHO European Health Cities Network Phase VI (2014-2018) 26-06-2014

13 cities designated to WHO European Health Cities Network Phase VI (2014-2018)

The Norwegian health system: what can be done to improve user satisfaction? 18-12-2013

Norwegian citizens are fortunate to enjoy one of the highest per capita health expenditure in the world. The level of public health care coverage is high (85%) and the health status of the population is very good. However, the satisfaction of people using health care services seems to be ‘only’ average compared to other OECD countries that spend less. What can be done to improve it?

eHealth solutions in Norway and Estonia shared with delegation from the Republic of Moldova 20-11-2012

Key stakeholders in the establishment of a national eHealth strategy for the Republic of Moldova visited Norway and Estonia on 5-9 November 2012 to exchange knowledge on eHealth opportunities. The tour supported the overall effort in the Republic of Moldova to develop an eHealth strategy as part of the Government's Strategic Programme for e-Transformation. 

Outcomes regarding European Mental Health Action Plan at consultation in Oslo 10-09-2012

47 Member States participated in a consultation held in Oslo 3-5 September regarding both the Global and the European Mental Health Action Plans. The consultation resulted in strong support to both Action Plans, and agreement on a series of concrete actions for the European Regional Office.

WHO holds consultation on the European Mental Health Action Plan and the Global Mental Health Action Plan 30-08-2012

Mental health problems are among the leading contributors to the burden of disease globally. In response to this, WHO is developing several interconnected and complementary activities that support Member States in producing comprehensive policies and strategies.

Norway leads Europe in protecting children from “unhealthy” food marketing 25-06-2012

An updated policy to reduce children’s exposure to advertising practices relating to unhealthy foods has been developed by the Norwegian Government and is now subject to public consultation.

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.

Violence and injuries: next steps in prevention 17-10-2011

The sixth meeting of the network of European health ministry focal persons for violence and injury prevention took place in Oslo, Norway on 11–12 October, attended by 70 participants from 37 countries in the WHO European Region. The plenary sessions focused on services for victims of violence, delivered by staff from the Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, and a WHO expert highlighted the global directions for the violence prevention networks, including the forthcoming survey for the global status report on violence prevention.

Sixth meeting of the European network of national focal persons for violence and injury prevention. Oslo, Norway, 11-12 October 2011 23-08-2011

The main aim of the meeting is to review progress in the implementation of WHO/Europe Resolution EUR/RC55/R9 on prevention of violence and injuries and of the EU Council Recommendation on the prevention of injury and the promotion of safety. The network will also discuss next steps for future collaboration.