News

WHO helps to develop skills and access to assistive technology in Tajikistan 29-06-2021

15 healthcare workers and 30 participants from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Tajikistan completed 5 days of training to develop skills and competencies in providing assistive technology services at primary health care centres in Tajikistan.

Providing life-changing hearing surgery in Greenland 04-03-2020

Asger, an 11-year-old boy from Nuuk, Greenland, suffered repeated episodes of chronic middle ear infection with pus draining from both ears as a baby. Asger’s family first noticed he was suffering hearing loss when he started school. Aged 10, he received a device to improve his hearing, a headband with a hearing aid that did not have to be put in the ear. At the same time, a new hearing test revealed a previously unknown hearing loss in the healed left ear. Asger was now classified as having disabling hearing loss.

Ljubljana Statement on Health Equity agreed – High-level Conference on Health Equity closes 14-06-2019

On the final day of the Conference, delegates from Member States, nongovernmental organizations and partners agreed to the Ljubljana Statement. It articulates what European Member States and partners will do to progress towards health equity, and how they will do it.

High-level Conference on Health Equity opens – achieve, accelerate and influence 12-06-2019

That reducing health inequities is politically doable, economically viable and has public support was a key conclusion on the first day of the conference. Delegates from across the WHO European Region discussed why health equity is an issue for our times, and how we can create the conditions and remove barriers for all to prosper and flourish.

Protect our environment, protect our health: World Environment Day 2018 05-06-2018

Today is World Environment Day. Each year, at least 1.4 million Europeans die prematurely due to polluted environments, accounting for at least 15% of Europe’s total deaths. Altogether, European citizens lose 50 million years of healthy life annually as a result of environmental risks.

Evidence shows banning asbestos has no negative economic impact 19-04-2018

Sound scientific evidence shows that any exposure to asbestos fibres poses significant health risks. Despite this, the mineral continues to be present, as well as extensively used and traded, both globally and in the WHO European Region. According to WHO recommendations, the most effective way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is through a ban on the use, production and trade of all forms of the substance.

Award for preserving workers’ health presented to WHO European Centre for Environment and Health 30-10-2017

During the XIV “Occupation and Health” Russian National Congress with International Participation on 26–29 September 2017 in St Petersburg, Russian Federation, the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health (ECEH) received a diploma for progress in workers’ health preservation. The diploma recognizes the ECEH’s efforts in providing policy and technical guidance in the WHO European Region.

United Nations agencies urge Europe’s action on 1.4 million annual deaths from polluted environments 13-06-2017

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) call on European leaders to scale up action to prevent environment-related deaths and diseases affecting their populations. Each year, at least 1.4 million Europeans die prematurely due to polluted environments; this corresponds to at least 15% of Europe’s total deaths. Around half of these deaths are due to outdoor and indoor air pollution. Altogether, European citizens lose annually 50 million years of healthy life from environmental risks.

Preventing cancer - The European code against cancer 04-02-2016

Cancer incidence is rising in the WHO European Region. A new edition of the European code against cancer lists 12 ways of helping people to adopt healthier lifestyles and of boosting cancer prevention across Europe. 4 February is World Cancer Day.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to develop national programme for asbestos-related diseases 29-05-2015

The WHO Country Office, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Occupational Health (WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health) held a workshop on the implementation of the global action plan on worker's health on 21 May 2015.

European countries to meet in April to review progress on environment and health 05-03-2015

On 28–30 April 2015 in Haifa, Israel, countries in the WHO European Region will evaluate the status of environment and health in the WHO European Region at the mid-term review of the European environment and health process. 

Welcome to the newsletter of the European Environment and Health Process (EHP) 27-10-2014

The introduction of a European Environment and Health Process Newsletter will keep stakeholders up-to-date on the EHP’s continually-expanding body of work. Particularly during preparations for mid-term review of the Parma Commitments in March 2015, the need became evident for a means of sharing news and information on activities.

Making the European Region free of asbestos-related diseases 19-06-2014

Asbestos is one of the most severe and widespread environmental health hazards in the WHO European Region, and is responsible for half of fatal cancers linked to exposure at work. To discuss activities to put an end to asbestos-related diseases, representatives from 16 Member States in the WHO European Region and experts in occupational health and cancer registries met in Bonn, Germany, on 10–11 June 2014.

Just published: Environmental health inequalities in Malta. Assessment report 17-02-2014

This report presents the first national assessment of the magnitude and distribution of environmental health inequalities in the Maltese Islands, and responds to the commitments made at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Parma, Italy in 2010.

Protecting workers from excessive UV in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 16-01-2014

A meeting of stakeholders in December 2013 reviewed findings of an evaluation of the National Climate Change Health Adaptation Strategy performed in early 2013 and a WHO-led analysis of the existing situation in the country (September–December 2013), carried out in collaboration with the Institute for Occupational Health (a WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health) and the Ministry of Health. The meeting called for the establishment, with WHO guidance and support, of an action plan that will be incorporated in the National Operation Health Plan 2020.

Countries urged to reduce health risks from asbestos, second-hand smoke and toxic chemicals by 2015 16-12-2013

Visualizing the economic and health benefits of environmental measures: a winning combination 23-10-2013

“Visualizing” both the health and economic gains can help persuade policy-makers to improve environmental health and obtain government support, according to participants at the Second Symposium on Environmental Health and Economics, held on 14–15 October 2013 in Bonn, Germany.

Just published: Health and environment in the WHO European region: creating resilient communities and supportive environments 09-09-2013

Applications welcome for observership at WHO/Europe 18-04-2013

The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) is sponsoring a three-day observership for five people in WHO/Europe’s Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment.

WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013

WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.

New WHO report promotes workplace health in Poland 12-02-2013

A new WHO report "Situation analysis and recommendations for stewardship on workplace health promotion in Poland" provides evidence-based policy options to position workplace health promotion (WHP) as an integral part of the health system in Poland. 

Germany: model of good governance for workers’ health 10-12-2012

Health hazards and risks in the working environment kill more than 300 000 workers in the WHO European Region every year. WHO/Europe has produced a country profile of the occupational health system in Germany to provide policy-makers and advisers across the Region with lessons from this system, and up-to-date guidance on good practice in the governance of workers’ health.

Regional Director attends Environment and Health Ministerial Board (EHMB) meeting in Azerbaijan 21-11-2012

At its third meeting, EHMB agreed that an environment and health gateway, an on-line knowledge repository and information portal, will be developed. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Azerbaijan, concluded on 16 November 2012.

New report gives preliminary dose estimation from Fukushima nuclear accident 23-05-2012

The report describes a preliminary estimate of radiation doses to the public resulting from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site in Japan in March 2011.

WHO launches expanded European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany: new report on environmental health inequalities published 14-02-2012

One citizen out of five dies from environment-associated diseases in the WHO European Region. The environmental burden of ill health varies significantly across the Region, however, ranging from 14% to 54%. Within countries, the poor can be exposed to environmental risks five times more often than their wealthier peers, a new WHO report concludes.

Joint action on environmental health threats discussed 02-11-2011

Meeting for the first time in Bled, Slovenia, on 26–28 October 2011, the European Environment and Health Task Force discussed proposed areas of joint action to implement the commitments agreed by European countries in the Parma Declaration on Environment and Health.

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.

2011 International Forum on Occupational Health and Safety: Second announcement and call for abstracts 27-01-2011

Authors are invited to submit by 28 February 2011abstracts for oral and poster presentations for the Forum, to be held in Espoo, Finland, on 20–22 June 2011 on the theme of occupational health and safety policies, profiles and services. The Forum is organized by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, in collaboration with WHO, the International Labour Office, the International Commission on Occupational Health, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

Launch of the European Network for Workers’ Health. Bonn, Germany, 6-8 December 2010 06-12-2010

The joint meeting of the WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) for Occupational Health and the National Focal Points on Workers’ Health (NFPs), key partners of WHO/Europe in the Regional implementation of the WHO Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health, opens today in Bonn and will establish the European Network for Workers’ Health (ENWH) as an umbrella for the various contributing networks.

New rehabilitation guidelines for the disabled launched 09-11-2010

WHO has released new community-based rehabilitation (CBR) guidelines to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in health, education, employment, social, skills-training and other community services and activities.

Wellness at work – promoting heart health on World Heart Day 24-09-2010

Although heart attacks and strokes are major killers in all parts of the world, 80% of premature deaths from these causes could be avoided by controlling the main risk factors: tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. The workplace is one setting where these risk factors can be addressed as both employers and employees can do a lot to improve wellness at work through a workplace that promotes exercise, proper diet and smoke-free environments.

All forms of asbestos can cause cancer 24-09-2010

Asbestos has been widely used in buildings and certain commercial products. As a result, 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at work. Occupational exposure to asbestos causes more than 107 000 people die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

WHO publishes methodological guidance on assessing the burden of disease of second hand smoke at national and local levels 20-09-2010

Second-hand smoke (SHS) is one of the most important and most widespread exposures in the indoor environment, affecting a large proportion of the population. Children are commonly exposed to SHS when their parents are smokers. Some countries have passed legislation that prohibits smoking in the workplace, but elsewhere workers in the entertainment and food industries are frequently exposed to SHS on a daily basis. It has been known for many years that tobacco smoke is hazardous to health, and there is now a substantial literature that documents the risks associated specifically with exposure to SHS.

Launching “European Network for Workers’ Health”: Meeting of WHO collaborating centres and National Focal Points, Bonn, Germany, 6–8 December 2010 02-09-2010

The WHO collaborating centres (CCs) for Occupational Health and the National Focal Points(NFPs) on Workers’ Health will meet in Bonn, Germany, 6–8 December 2010, and launch the European Network for Workers’ Health for effective and efficient implementation of Global Plan of Action on Workers’ Health.