High level forum on social determinants of health and health inequalities

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia, in cooperation with WHO/Europe and WHO/Europe’s Office for Investment for Health and Development (based in Venice, Italy), is organizing a high-level forum in Brdo, Slovenia on 1 February 2011, to call for action to tackle the country’s social inequities in health. WHO/Europe will launch a report, “Health inequalities in Slovenia”, at the forum.

The social determinants of health and health inequalities are key priorities of the biennial collaborative agreement for 2010–2011 between WHO/Europe and Slovenia. Over the last two decades, Slovenia has collaborated with WHO, the European Union and other partners to build commitment to health equity and social determinants of health within and beyond the WHO European Region.

Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Dr Dorijan Marušič, Minister of Health of the Republic of Slovenia, will open the forum and call for action. Sir Michael Marmot, United Kingdom, will give the keynote address. Several ministers and high-level experts will address the social determinants of health and health inequalities in panel discussions.

The forum will bring together representatives from different sectors in Slovenia and the neighbouring countries. Policy and academic experts will share current European and international evidence and thinking on the issues. WHO/Europe strongly supports the event and debates to advance systematic action to reduce social inequities in health within and between countries.