WHO/Europe monthly newsletter, with public health news and events highlights from around the WHO European Region.
No images? Click here
Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
June 2025
The important contribution that small countries make to advancing health across the WHO European Region was highlighted by Valentina Prevolnik Rupel, Minister of Health of Slovenia, at the 11th High-level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative (SCI), held in Bled, Slovenia on 12–13 May 2025. Characterizing the countries of the Initiative, she described them as, “small but mighty in the pursuit of healthier nations”. Read more
TOP STORIES
23 May 2025
The digital environment, from social media to AI-driven platforms, is a documented risk to the mental health of children and adolescents in the WHO European Region – but countries can already work to protect them. That is the overarching conclusion in a new policy brief developed by WHO/Europe, together with the Polish Ministry of Health and the Digital Transformations for Health Lab (DTH-Lab).
The policy brief, titled “Addressing the digital determinants of youth mental health”, combines a review of current evidence and policies with a call for governments, industry and civil society to take immediate action to make digital spaces safer, healthier and more equitable for young people.
11 June 2025
Reykjavík, Iceland
Climate change is affecting communities across the WHO European Region, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events and environmental degradation threatening health and well-being.
WHO/Europe is launching the first Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 11 June 2025. Read more
23-05-2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) can support public health authorities in communicating risks and managing the spread of false information during public health emergencies, according to a new study published by the University of Zurich and WHO/Europe. However, its use must be guided by strong ethical principles to protect public trust and safety. Read more
“I was told it was all in my head” – Catherine’s long journey with Lyme disease
15-05-2025
Future-proofing the WHO European Region against respiratory pandemics
14-05-2025
Responding to the ongoing mpox health threat: lessons from Berlin
05-05-2025
Public health advice for visitors attending the Jubilee 2025 in Italy
01-05-2025
15-05-2025
Reducing salt consumption is one of the most effective ways to combat high blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which claim 10 000 lives every day in the WHO European Region. Yet in most countries across the Region, salt intake remains well above the recommended 5 g per day. During Salt Awareness Week 2025, WHO/Europe will underscore the urgent need for strategies that can support effective salt reduction policies. Read more
Sweet flavours and bright colours lure youth into nicotine addiction
30-05-2025
Too cheap to ignore – WHO helps countries reduce alcohol harm through taxation and pricing policies
21-05-2025
World No Tobacco Day 2025 awards: champions of the tobacco-free future
19-05-2025
New dashboard visualizes progress on assistive technology access and equity in Europe
11-05-2025
WHO launches guidance on rapid evidence synthesis to support timely health policy decisions
07-05-2025
WHO supports renewed country commitment to action on air quality
07-05-2025
Donate: through the WHO Foundation.
Health can't wait. Your Support Saves Lives Today.
12-05-2025
Opening remarks by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, at the 11th High-level Meeting of the Small Countries Initiative. Read more
COUNTRIES
20-05-2025
WHO has designated the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) in Barcelona, Spain, as a WHO collaborating centre on digital health. Collaborating centres carry out activities in support of various WHO programmes in areas such as medicine, public health, nursing and midwifery, and more. UOC’s work plan for 2025–2029 includes supporting WHO/Europe in assessing and improving telemedicine and digital health services, as well as developing guides, methodologies and strategies for the effective integration of these solutions into national health systems. UOC will also be responsible for analytics on the implementation of digital solutions aligned with WHO/Europe’s priorities on universal health coverage, climate change and ageing under the new European Programme of Work 2025–2030. Read more
Digital health tools smooth the way for sporting dreams
28-05-2025
Türkiye completes national household survey on noncommunicable disease risk factors
28-05-2025
Tobacco control in Belgium: aim high – act now!
21-05-2025
European Immunization Week and big catch-up vaccination campaign launch in Kyrgyzstan
14-05-2025
Montenegro pushes for stronger action to advance tobacco control in the Western Balkans
13-05-2025
“Addressing alcohol harm takes more than a medical intervention” – Dr Santos from Portugal
08-05-2025
Midwives in Malta nurture health from the outset, one open conversation at a time
07-05-2025
Greece provides psychosocial support for people living with cancer in Attica
01-05-2025
17 June 2025, virtual
On 17 June 2025, members of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) will convene virtually for its 15th meeting, hosted and organized by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn. Read more
2025 Summer school: Systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and a healthy ageing population in
the WHO European Region - call for applications
15 – 18 July 2025, Nice, France
Building resilient cities: the 2025 WHO European Healthy Cities Conference
17 – 19 June 2025, Bursa, Türkiye
Webinar: Tax and price policies – the economic approach to reducing alcohol harm
18 June 2025, 15:00–16:00 CEST, Online
Mental Health in All Policies: Address Challenges and Design Shared Solutions
16 – 17 June 2025, High-level conference, Paris, France
Subregional technical workshop on health workforce migration in the Eastern Partnership countries
12 – 13 June 2025 Chisinau, Moldova
World No Tobacco Day 2025: unmasking the appeal
31 May 2025
