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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
October 2023
Rethink mental health: invest in and design better systems for a more resilient European Region
10-10-2023
In a region where as many as 1 in 7 people live with a mental health condition, too few get any form of care or support. In fact, many people continue to experience discrimination for seeking mental health support – it can lead to the loss of their job or home; while physical health problems may be wrongly attributed to a person’s psychiatric diagnosis. Although mental health has climbed higher on the health agenda regionally in recent years, it is increasingly difficult to access mental health care, in part because of a worrying decline in mental health workers. From 2017 to 2020, the number declined from 50 per 100 000 population to around 45. This means longer waiting times and a more burnout-prone mental health workforce. Successive crises over the past three years – COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, a rising cost of living, multiple natural disasters and extreme weather events – have made it all the clearer that current approaches to protecting mental health do not serve people’s needs and preferences. Far too many vulnerable people fall through the gaps.
73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe
24–26 October 2023, Astana, Kazakhstan
In 2023, WHO marks its 75th anniversary, 45 years since the signing of the historic Alma-Ata Declaration on primary health care (PHC), and the mid-point of the European Programme of Work (EPW) 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”. RC73 will therefore be an opportunity for delegates to reflect on the current state of health and well-being across the Region, take stock of progress in delivering the EPW, celebrate public health milestones over the past 75 years, and discuss what is needed to address current and future challenges.
STATEMENT
WHO calls for access to health and humanitarian assistance on fourth day of conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory
10-10-2023
ARMENIA REFUGEE RESPONSE
Racing to meet the health needs of refugees entering Armenia
01-10-2023
COVID-19
“What is wrong with me?” Children face a frustrating lack of answers about long COVID
05-10-2023
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
Publications and technical guidance
Publications, country and technical guidance for the COVID-19 outbreak
UKRAINE EMERGENCY
“I would have discontinued the treatment rather than be away from my daughter”
22-09-2023
TÜRKIYE AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKES
Syrian doctors highly trained in caring for tuberculosis patients, thanks to WHO
13-09-2023
Video: Exceptional people responding to the Türkiye earthquakes
11-10-2023
By 2024, it is estimated that the population of individuals aged over 65 years will outnumber those under the age of 15 in the WHO European Region. This trend means new social, economic and health challenges, which demand a focus on healthy ageing to mitigate the impact of an ageing population. WHO's report “Promoting physical activity and healthy diets for healthy ageing in the WHO European Region” navigates this shift, providing a roadmap for healthy longevity.
Mental health in Europe and central Asia: girls fare worse than boys
10-10-2023
Vulnerable? Vaccinate. Protecting the unprotected from COVID-19 and influenza
09-10-2023
Health is everyone’s concern: WHO guidance supports action across sectors
28-09-2023
WHO launches toolkit for schools to create a tobacco- and nicotine-free environment
26-09-2023
25-09-2023
At the first Youth4Health forum held in 2022 in Tirana, Albania, WHO/Europe and youth representatives agreed on concrete action points for increased youth engagement, including the establishment of a WHO/Europe youth network. This key commitment has now been turned into reality with the launch of the network today. The Youth4Health network will serve as a platform for meaningful youth engagement to ensure youth participation in all areas of WHO/Europe’s work. It will not only connect youth representatives with WHO/Europe, but also serve as a strong mechanism to connect young people who are passionate about health and well-being and want to accelerate change, including young people with fewer opportunities. “Are young people being heard? Are their needs respected? Do they have access to health systems that are inclusive and equitable? We need to engage with them to discuss how we can do better. That’s why we’ve launched the Youth4Health network and that’s why this network will make a difference. Young people are the changemakers of tomorrow and of today. They need a seat at the table to express their opinions and ideas, and it’s our job to listen to them and deliver,” explained Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
10-10-2023
Poland has just launched the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), an evidence-based approach to scaling up capacity and services for mental health conditions, under its National Health Programme, in a major step towards addressing the unmet mental health needs of the population. Poland, like other countries in the WHO European Region, has significant challenges when it comes to ensuring access to mental health services. 60% of patients who have reported needing mental health support say they do not seek help due to stigma. There are just 9 psychiatrists per 100 000 population in the country and waiting times are long. 3.7% of the Polish national health budget is spent on mental health care, which is low compared to some other European countries.
Uzbekistan hosts central Asia’s health leaders at Samarkand TB Summit ahead of UN high-level meeting
27-09-2023
Measles and rubella vaccine arrives in Kyrgyzstan to help stop measles outbreak
26-09-2023
Kyrgyzstan: strengthening primary health care financing for better health
25-09-2023
Uzbekistan’s progress in reforming its health system continues, new WHO report shows
21-09-2023
New equipment enhances health data management in war-affected regions of Ukraine
15-09-2023
Swiss canton fights misconceptions surrounding migrant health
26-09-2023
WHO collaborating centre in Italy continues to support refugee and migrant well-being
13-09-2023
EVENTS
Keeping safe from COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this autumn and winter. Protecting lives. Strengthening health systems
29 September – 31 December 2023
Experience-sharing for the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme in central Asia
19 – 20 October 2023, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Diving into implementation research: event for early career researchers
20 October 2023, 12:00–13:00 CEST – online event
International conference celebrating the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of Astana declarations
23 October 2023 Astana, Kazakhstan and online
