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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
January 2025
Complex, interconnected crises, the revolution in artificial intelligence, ageing societies, loneliness, a breakdown in trust in science and in authorities: the WHO European Region is experiencing a time of unprecedented change and turmoil.
Recognizing these stark realities, WHO and Member States of the Region are embarking on an ambitious and exciting journey to map out the health priorities and collective action needed to provide, promote and protect health for everyone over the next 5 years, and prepare health systems for the long-term opportunities and challenges ahead.
This will form the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2). Read more
Launch of the European Public Health Report 2024
On 13 February, WHO/Europe will unveil its European Health Report 2024.
Produced every 3 years as a flagship WHO/Europe publication, the reports provide an overview of the health status of the population of the WHO European Region and analyse the Region’s progress towards its health policy goals and targets to identify priority areas for action and further improvement. Read more
WHO urgent flash appeal for the health emergency response in Syria: US$ 56.4 million for critical needs on multiple fronts
24-12-2024
Refugee and migrant health: WHO trains health mediators on Global Competency Standards
16-12-2024
COVID-19
The Long COVID Kids Choir: giving voice to young people’s experiences of a life-changing illness
10-12-2024
Increasing Recognition, Research and Rehabilitation for Post COVID-19 Condition (long COVID)
WHO remains committed to learning more about long COVID and to finding ways to improve the medium- and long-term outcomes for people affected by it.
Partnering with the European Union to support deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination
The EU and WHO/Europe together provide critical assistance to Member States of the WHO European Region to ensure local readiness for safe and effective vaccination campaigns against COVID-19
MPOX (MONKEYPOX)
Kyrgyzstan receives aid from WHO to detect the mpox virus
12-12-2024
UKRAINE EMERGENCY
30-12-2024
27 December 2024, Istanbul, Türkiye – Fifty tonnes of lifesaving medical supplies have arrived in Türkiye via the European Union (EU) Humanitarian Air Bridge, ready for delivery to health facilities in Syria. The shipment, coordinated by WHO, will provide much-needed support to Primary health care centers and hospitals in areas where the healthcare needs are the most pressing. Read more
WHO/Europe’s second health equity status report to reflect new and emerging challenges
04-12-2024
Ensuring the political participation of persons with disabilities in health decision-making
02-12-2024
New WHO and London School of Economics study identifies key digital factors affecting health
02-12-2024
18-12-2024
WHO/Europe has officially commenced work on evaluating its European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 (EPW) – “United Action for Better Health”. This strategy, which has guided the European Region’s health priorities for the past 4 years, is now under review to inform the development of the second EPW for 2025–2030 (EPW2).
The 3 core priorities of the EPW were to help Member States achieve universal health coverage, strengthen protection against health emergencies, and promote healthier lives. As the programme enters its final year, this independent evaluation provides a crucial opportunity to reflect on its outcomes and build on its legacy. The focus will be on understanding how the strategy has helped countries reduce health inequities, address priority public health concerns in Member States and maximize WHO/Europe’s impact for countries. The findings will also highlight lessons from successes and identify areas for improvement, ensuring that EPW2 can build on these insights. Read more
19-12-2024
City Park Ice Rink, Budapest, Hungary. It’s a foggy, gray day but the ice is dazzlingly white. Around the rink, the outlines of a castle emerge, almost like something out of a fairy tale. Among the many skaters, a couple suddenly stands out – they dance elegantly, their smiles never leaving their faces. Within moments, a crowd gathers around them. At the end of the music, they bow gracefully, and applause erupts. This isn’t their first time! About a year ago, a tourist happened to notice them, uploaded a short video of their performance, and within a short time, it was viewed by 32 million people. Of course, the ice dancers had no idea they had become stars.
László and Mara first met 14 years ago, and in a few months, both will turn 79. Read more
Launching WHO’s primary health-care mobile app in Ukrainian
24-12-2024
Living well: a new campaign to champion health and well-being in Ticino
20-12-2024
Building trust and safety: NHS Wales’s fight against gender-based violence in the workplace
20-12-2024
Simulation exercise in Republic of Moldova builds capacity to stop measles and polio outbreaks
12-12-2024
Six decades of evidence of the transformative power of vaccines
11-12-2024
Young changemakers learn about preventing antimicrobial resistance in Kyrgyzstan
10-12-2024
Healing the healers: equipping Romania’s medical staff with tools to combat stress
03-12-2024
“I knew I would succeed”: Gulnar’s story of mental rehabilitation and recovery
03-12-2024
EVENTS
Ageing is living: working for a lifetime of health and well-being
30 January 2025 09:00 – 12:00 UTC Time
Understanding and addressing digital determinants of health
29 January 2025 14:00 – 15:00 CET, online
WHO/Europe launches EU-funded “Nursing Action” project to address nursing shortages in the EU
17 January 2025, Poland
Non-State actors: join the virtual brainstorming session on EPW2
16 January 2025 11:00 – 12:30 UTC Time, online
