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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
April 2025
Twelve private sector representatives from associations for the pharmaceutical, health-care, health data and technology, and consumer product industries, contributed to a consultation on the second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2) on 4 April 2025. Read more
Foresight exercise event highlights
A key measure of success is ensuring that health systems are sufficiently robust to meet the future challenges and opportunities in decades to come. On 13 and 14 March, almost 50 health leaders from across the Region participated in a foresight exercise to discuss futures scenarios until 2050. Read more
Health security and emergency preparedness: building a safe and secure WHO European Region
07-03-2025
TOP STORIES
13 March 2025
According to an analysis by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 127 350 measles cases were reported in the European Region for 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997.
Children under 5 accounted for more than 40% of reported cases in the Region – comprising 53 countries in Europe and central Asia. More than half of the reported cases required hospitalization. A total of 38 deaths have been reported, based on preliminary data received as of 6 March 2025.
Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures
7 April 2025
World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April 2025, will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign, titled “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being,
26-03-2025
The first-ever WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) on Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) has launched at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences in Norway. During a 4-year partnership with WHO, the new CC will conduct high-quality research to help national health authorities and health practitioners on the ground to design timely and effective RCCE-IM interventions during health emergencies. Read more
26-03-2025
At a time of rapid advances in digital technology, WHO/Europe has published a guide on cybersecurity and privacy risk assessments in digital health tailored to the WHO European Region, which encompasses 53 Member States across Europe and central Asia.
The document, titled “Cybersecurity and privacy maturity assessment and strengthening for digital health information systems”, provides a framework to help countries and organizations develop risk assessment strategies that align with their specific needs, goals and regulatory requirements. Read more
Childhood tuberculosis cases rise by 10%: a disturbing wake-up call for European Region
24-03-2025
Health policies to tackle chronic diseases can have positive impacts within 5 years
24-03-2025
WHO announces new collaborating centre on AI for health governance
10-03-2025
“I feel so much healthier in my body and my mind without alcohol” – Svenja’s story
07-03-2025
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COUNTRIES
12-03-2025
The COVID-19 pandemic expanded existing pockets of mistrust and suspicion related to vaccines in North Macedonia, especially within marginalized groups such as Roma communities. It also made a lasting impact on mental health, including among children and adolescents.
In response, the WHO Country Office in North Macedonia has engaged trusted nongovernmental organizations and influential women community leaders in country-wide efforts to correct misinformation, bust myths, and increase dialogue around immunization and mental health. Read more
How do we talk and think about ageing in the 21st century? WHO and Bizkaia lead on new narrative
26-03-2025
New EU-funded programme boosts health workforce and mental health services in Armenia
14-03-2025
Hospital financing reforms key to delivering improved health services in Kyrgyzstan
12-03-2025
Immigration detention conditions in Sweden mostly align with WHO guidance, new study says
11-03-2025
Digital automation tools improve access and affordability of medicines in the Republic of Moldova
06-03-2025
WHO and Switzerland cement cooperation until 2028
04-03-2025
27 April – 3 May 2025
The WHO European Region celebrates European Immunization Week (EIW) every year to promote awareness of the role immunization plays in preventing diseases and protecting life. This year's EIW will highlight the urgent need to achieve high and equitable vaccination coverage in every community to prevent outbreaks of these diseases now and in the future. Read more
“Looking to the future”: WHO symposium on modelling and optimizing the health and care workforce
28 – 30 April 2025 - UN City, Copenhagen, Denmark
WHO Barcelona course on health financing for the Western Balkans
7 – 11 April 2025 - Barcelona, Spain
Launch of WHO/Europe policy brief on scaling up mental health services within the primary health-care approach
10 April 2025 - Online
