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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
February 2025
Since the official start of the seasonal influenza epidemic in late November 2024, indicators of respiratory infections have continued to rise across the WHO European Region. While the magnitude of the influenza season is within the expected range, it is important for health authorities and individuals to remain active in limiting the spread and protecting the most vulnerable, which includes older people, pregnant women, immunocompromised people and those with chronic conditions.
“Lots of people getting sick this winter doesn’t need to be a given. The impact on our communities can be mitigated with coordinated action. By taking preventive measures, getting vaccinated and supporting the most vulnerable, we can navigate this challenging season together,” said Dr Kluge.
For more information on vaccinations, prevention tips and the latest updates on respiratory illnesses, visit the WHO/Europe website. Read more
Climate Change and Health: Shaping a Resilient Future
28 February 2025, 10:00–13:00 CET.
The climate crisis is a health crisis.
Acknowledging the scale of the crisis and the need to build resilient, sustainable communities and health systems, WHO/Europe is organizing an external hearing to bring together Member States, partners and civil society representatives.
Sign up for the hearings. Read more
21-01-2024
The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go. Read more
Cervical cancer elimination: progress evident, but tragically slow
27-01-2025
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Belgian national Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge has commenced his second 5-year term as the Regional Director for WHO/Europe, based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Dr Kluge was formally appointed to the role for a second term at the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. It follows his nomination by the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region in October last year.
“We will continue to build on the many successes of the past 5 years, including our work on pandemic preparedness and health system strengthening, mental health, digital health, and immunization,” said Dr Kluge. Read more
22-01-2025
WHO/Europe is helping health authorities to create impactful letters that encourage people to act for their health. Action may include getting vaccinated, or having a cancer screening or a health check-up. For those on a waiting list for a treatment, it may entail replying to a letter checking whether treatment is still needed. If someone responds to say they had the treatment in another hospital, feel better or no longer want the treatment, they can be taken off the list. In-demand hospital appointments can then be better allocated and scarce resources in health systems used more efficiently.
However, this validation method only shows results if people respond to the letters. While a letter alone cannot change complex health behaviours, an evidence-informed letter may increase the response rates among motivated people when services are easy to access. A new WHO policy brief shows how to apply behavioural science to make action more likely. Read more
New curriculum key to strengthening immunization services in Azerbaijan
23-01-2025
New WHO Collaborating Centre in Moscow advances care for ageing populations
21-01-2025
EVENTS
World Hearing Day 2025 – Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all
3 March 2025
Strengthening Hospital Safety and Preparedness amidst Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Hazards and Other Emergencies in Poland
25 – 28 February 2025, Warsaw, Poland
National PRET pandemic planning workshop
25 – 26 February 2025, Yerevan, Armenia
Launch of the European Health Report 2024
25 February 2025, 11:00 – 11:45 CET, online
Health systems of the future: harnessing technology and innovation in health for everyone everywhere
21 February 2025, 09:00 – 12:00 UTC
Intercountry workshop on strengthening capacity to support the health needs of refugees and displaced people from Ukraine
18 – 19 February 2025, Bucharest, Romania
Sharing success stories on alcohol control policies at multistakeholder meeting in Lithuania
17 – 19 February 2025, Vilnius, Lithuania
