News

WHO/Europe launches new guide to support stakeholders in health and sustainable development 07-07-2021

The WHO Regional Office for Europe has launched the E4As Guide, helping to promote engagement with health and sustainable development among key stakeholders. E4As stands for: engage to assess, align, accelerate and account – a compilation of methods, diagnostic tools, guidance documents, processes and mechanisms to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strengthening partnerships with non-State actors to achieve the European Programme of Work – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” 02-07-2021

More than 90 non-State actors (NSAs) joined a briefing highlighting the WHO Regional Committee for Europe’s agenda, and recommending ways to engage and showcase their work undertaken in collaboration with WHO/Europe.

WHO and ECDC launch indicator framework to evaluate public health effectiveness of digital proximity tracing solutions 28-06-2021

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with WHO, through its headquarters and Regional Office for Europe, have developed the first indicator framework to evaluate the public health effectiveness of digital proximity tracing solutions.

WHO Regional Director sets focus on equity, drug security and health systems during Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum 14-06-2021

The need to ensure drug security and equitable access to vaccines while strengthening national health systems has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a week-long visit to the Russian Federation for the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, stressed the importance of health equity and international collaboration.

WHO/Europe launches Pan-European Leadership Academy demonstration project to strengthen skills among young public health professionals 04-06-2021

From 4 June 2021, young public health professionals from Member States in central Asia, the Western Balkans and the Russian Federation are invited to apply for placements in the Pan-European Leadership Academy (ELA). The ELA is a new initiative to build experience and strengthen skills with WHO in the European Region.

Regional Director takes European Programme of Work to countries during visits 04-06-2021

The WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge recently visited a number of countries in the European Region, as COVID-19 vaccines continue to be rolled out, offering hope in the fight against the pandemic.

WHO/Europe’s governing board decides to hold virtual Regional Committee 20-05-2021

Members of the Standing Committee of the Regional Committee (SCRC) met on 18 May 2021 to agree on the agenda for the upcoming 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.

Faces of WHO – Lilit Dadikyan, WHO Country Office Armenia 10-05-2021

New report from WHO on health spending calls on governments not to repeat past mistakes when rebuilding from COVID-19 22-04-2021

A new report from the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing has highlighted the need for governments to maintain a higher level of public spending on health for the wider benefit of society despite expected budgetary pressures following the pandemic.

Health equity takes centre stage on WHO Regional Director’s visit to Romania 19-04-2021

Leaving no one behind in health has taken on a greater sense of urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic. On a country visit coinciding with World Health Day, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, highlighted the importance of equity in health to decision-makers, while also meeting with patients and health-care workers delivering health care to people who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Youth organizations, have your say! Shape tomorrow by speaking up today! 15-04-2021

While largely spared the physical impact of COVID-19, young people around the world remain among those hardest hit by the pandemic.

Strong chain of care links sectors to deliver essential health services and leave no one behind in Romania 07-04-2021

“I came to the centre to get my second dose of vaccine – I am happy to get any. I have heard of COVID, how could I not? Everyone is talking about it on the streets, in the centre. I hear about it on the radio, I see it on TV,” says Alexandru, aged 53, from Bucharest. After working for 35 years as an operator in a chemical plant, he is now without work and, following a family break-up, is also homeless.

A call to action: national governments and the global community must act now 16-03-2021

Today, the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development called on governments, economic and social stakeholders, and international organizations to rethink their broad policy priorities, to step up investments and reforms in health- and social-care systems, and to upgrade global governance of public goods, such as health and the environment.

WHO/Europe launches caregiver skills training in Kazakhstan to support children with neurodevelopmental delays 05-03-2021

Physical isolation has negatively affected the mental health of many people worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. For children with neurodevelopmental delays and disorders (NDD), as well as their parents who already lived in isolated circumstances, the pandemic has exacerbated their social exclusion and impacted their mental and physical well-being. The need to address the treatment access gap for children with NDD existed long before the pandemic, which let WHO develop a fully-fledged programme, which kicked off when it was needed most.

How healthy are children’s eating habits? – WHO/Europe surveillance results 03-03-2021

World Obesity Day is on 4 March, and on this occasion WHO/Europe raises the urgent need for promoting healthy eating habits among children. This recommendation is based on the results of round 4 of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), which were recently published in an article in the journal Nutrients and in a WHO/Europe factsheet which summarizes the data.

EU and WHO Regional Office for Europe join forces to ensure deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in six European countries, their largest collaboration in the European Region to date 11-02-2021

The European Union (EU) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe will work together in a major effort to support deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in the six EU Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The project, funded by the EU and implemented by the Regional Office, will cover all phases – constituting “end-to-end” support – of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination. It will also serve as a major investment to strengthen routine immunization systems in the six countries.

WHO/Europe looks ahead to a busy 2021 08-02-2021

Following an unprecedented year for WHO in 2020, WHO/Europe looks ahead to 2021 with a focus on the continuing COVID-19 pandemic alongside the implementation of the European Programme of Work.

One year on: European Programme of Work forms vital part of COVID-19 response 03-02-2021

A year since being confirmed as WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge has overseen the endorsement by Member States of the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe” (EPW), which has already had an impact on WHO/Europe’s response to the pandemic.

Universal health coverage high on the political agenda during the Regional Director’s visit to Georgia 18-01-2021

During a country visit to Georgia on 18–23 December 2020, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, discussed priority areas for health with high-level representatives. The visit was also an opportunity to speak with health care workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021 – 2030 06-01-2021

The United Nations has proclaimed 2021–2030 the Decade of Healthy Ageing, with WHO leading international action to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities.

Establishing the Pan-European Transformational Leadership Academy 18-12-2020

Providing direct support to health authorities to strengthen health leadership is an important strand of WHO/Europe’s 5-year health agenda, the European Programme of Work (EPW). As part of these efforts, WHO/Europe is moving forward with plans to establish the Pan-European Transformational Leadership Academy.

United Action for Better Health in Europe – visual version now online 03-12-2020

How will WHO support countries to improve health and well-being across the European Region over the next 5 years? Learn more about the priorities and flagship initiatives of the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, “United Action for Better Health in Europe”. This visual version explains the key elements of the EPW through videos, photos and short text summaries, and is available in English, French, German and Russian.

Building back better: people with disabilities in the workforce 03-12-2020

Ayse is a social worker in Holbæk Kommune, Denmark, who works to support people with disabilities. As someone with a hearing impairment, Ayse has a disability herself and sometimes utilizes an interpreter in her role – bringing a unique perspective to her work.

Regional Director’s visit cements stronger cooperation on health in Albania 20-11-2020

On a recent country visit to Albania, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, signed a 2-year agreement to work together on key health issues, and met decision-makers and health workers on the COVID-19 frontline.

Next steps to deliver “United Action for Better Health” in Europe 20-11-2020

From the launch of a new centre for health emergency preparedness; the establishment of a scientific advisory board to help identify policy priorities during pandemics; and the formation of a regional tripartite joint secretariat to coordinate One Health action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR); to preparing for COVID-19 vaccine deployment and availability; and restructuring WHO/Europe, progress is being made on all fronts to deliver the European Programme of Work (EPW) – “United Action for Better Health”.

WHO/Europe and Ukrainian Government sign Biennial Collaborative Agreement for 2020-2021 05-11-2020

WHO/Europe and the Government of Ukraine, represented by the Ministry of Health, have signed a Biennial Collaborative Agreement (BCA) for 2020–2021. Signed by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Maxym Stepanov, Minister of Health of Ukraine during a virtual ceremony, the agreement strengthens cooperation to improve the health of the Ukrainian population, and accelerate progress towards universal health coverage and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

New agreement between WHO/Europe and Welsh Government launched to accelerate action on health equity 05-11-2020

WHO/Europe and the Welsh Government have agreed to work more closely together to promote health equity and rights and to ensure prosperity for all. Discussions with Public Health Wales and National Health Service (NHS) Wales, held at a virtual meeting on 4 November 2020, focused on the next steps in implementing the new agreement, and how to identify and overcome the common challenges faced by society both before and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roadmap sets direction of Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development 29-10-2020

The 19 commissioners of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development convened virtually on 27 October 2020 to agree on the major themes and roadmap that will guide their work under the chairmanship of Professor Mario Monti.

United Nations at 75: bringing humanity together for a better tomorrow 23-10-2020

Seventy-five years ago, countries came together and formed the United Nations, in the hope of saving future generations from the scourge of war. Today, the United Nations is the only forum in the world where 193 countries can discuss issues affecting us all, find areas of agreement and solve problems together.

When silence is not a virtue: how traditional masculinities keep men from seeking mental health advice 09-10-2020

When Giancarlo Gaglione’s brother, Lanfranco, died by suicide at the age of 26, it came like a lightning bolt out of the blue. None of his family or friends had noticed anything different about him leading up to the moment he took his own life, and he only confided briefly, a week before, in two people: his best friend and his girlfriend.

WHO/Europe’s Regional Director discusses European Programme of Work in latest podcast episode 21-09-2020

In the latest episode of the Health in Europe podcast, WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge discusses the formation of the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, “United Action for Better Health in Europe”, and how it will improve health in the WHO European Region over the coming years. Dr Kluge also explains how the EPW’s development was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how citizens can get involved to help make the EPW a reality.

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.

Member States continue to drive financial support to WHO/Europe 15-09-2020

A total of US$ 210 million (€177 million) in specified voluntary contributions was received by WHO/Europe for the first half of 2020, from 81 contributors. A large proportion of this amount (59%) was from Member States, followed by intergovernmental organizations – mainly the European Union (EU) (17%), United Nations organizations (6.5%), partnerships (6%), and non-state actors (including philanthropic foundations, private sector entities, academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations) (4%).

Ministers back 5-year plan to put health in Europe on track 14-09-2020

Today, ministers of health and public health leaders from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region endorsed a new 5-year vision, the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025, that sets down how WHO/Europe and its Member States will work together to meet citizens’ expectations for health.

Digital health: transforming and extending the delivery of health services 09-09-2020

Digital health is a broad category encompassing electronic health, mobile health, telehealth and health data, among others. It offers solutions that can strengthen health systems, such as bringing health services directly to people’s homes and to underserved communities, helping to map outbreaks of disease, and integrating digital tools that make health care more responsive and productive.

Unleashing the potential of vaccines for a healthier Europe 02-09-2020

Compared to every other WHO region, the European Region has the lowest mortality figures for children under the age of 5. The Region has been free from poliomyelitis since 2002, and many Member States have also stopped the endemic spread of measles and rubella.

WHO/Europe to establish a mental health coalition to support system reforms and COVID-19 recovery 26-08-2020

This week marks the launch of one of WHO/Europe’s new flagship initiatives: mental health. Mental health is a key public health concern in the WHO European Region – over 110 million people are living with some kind of mental health condition, accounting for over 10% of the population.

Tailoring health interventions: behavioural and cultural insights for health 19-08-2020

Behavioural and cultural insights are still relatively underutilized in global health. By drawing on fields outside of medicine such as the social sciences and health humanities (including anthropology, history, sociology and psychology), it is possible to develop more effective health interventions.

Have your say on WHO/Europe’s proposed European Programme of Work 18-06-2020

WHO/Europe has launched an online consultation on its proposed European Programme of Work (EPW) entitled “United Action for Better Health”. The EPW sets out the future priorities for WHO’s Regional Office for Europe building on the mandate that the WHO’s Regional Director for Europe received from Member States after his election last year.