WHO/Europe monthly newsletter, with public health news and events highlights from around the WHO European Region.
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Public health news from around the WHO European Region.
News highlights
November 2025
In a landmark act of collaboration, all 53 Member States of the WHO European Region unanimously adopted the second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2) at the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75). The new 5-year strategy is a bold, action-oriented roadmap to build healthier, fairer and more resilient societies across the Region by the end of the decade. Read more
Second European Programme of Work, 2026–2030 – “United Action for Better Health”
TOP STORIES
30 October 2025
All 53 Member States of the WHO European Region have today unanimously adopted a bold new strategy to improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents across Europe and Central Asia.
Titled “A healthy start for a healthy life: a strategy for child and adolescent health and well-being in the WHO European Region 2026–2030”, and developed jointly with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the framework sets a clear vision for a region where every child and adolescent can grow, learn and thrive in good health – physically, mentally and socially. Read more
Health ministers and high-level delegates from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as representatives of partner organizations and civil society, met on 28–30 October 2025 for the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC75). Read more
25 October 2025
WHO has helped to medically evacuate over 1000 patients from Gaza to countries in the WHO European Region. On reaching this milestone, Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, thanked the 17 countries who have offered urgent medical care and other countries who have provided specialized transit for Gazan patients since October 2023. Read more
Stick with the science: protect yourself from influenza and COVID-19 this season
13-10-2025
Building resilience in Ukraine: as full-scale war continues
13-10-2025
14 October 2025
Alcohol is causing cancer, draining economies and taking a toll on societies across the WHO European Region. Today, WHO/Europe and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) deliver a simple message to governments: “Strong alcohol policies are among the smartest investments you can make.” These policies save lives, save money, take effect quickly, and are now backed up by one of the world’s most rigorous scientific reviews. Read more
WHO launches new online course to support informal caregivers across Europe
27-10-2025
World Polio Day: vaccination remains key to keeping Europe polio free
24-10-2025
Healing hands – hurting minds
10-10-2025
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Statement – Healing hands, hurting minds
Statement by WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, launching the Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors Survey Read more
COUNTRIES
10 October 2025
As WHO/Europe releases new data from its Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors (MeND) survey – one of the largest studies to date on the mental health and well-being of doctors and nurses across Europe – Cecilia’s story offers a glimpse into the daily realities behind the numbers. Read more
Polio response in Ukraine strengthened, as local laboratories receive WHO accreditation
24-10-2025
Poland’s mental health system boosted by PM+, a pioneering training initiative
22-10-2025
Slovenia abolishes co-payments to strengthen financial protection, WHO report highlights
14-10-2025
HPV vaccination launches in Tajikistan: protecting the girls of today, saving the women of tomorrow
13-10-2025
Turning telemedicine into a core health-care service in Georgia
01-10-2025
19 November 2025 | Valletta, Malta
WHO/Europe and the Government of Malta will co-host a high-level meeting on artificial intelligence (AI) in health on 19 November 2025. Titled “AI for Health and Care in Europe: Practical Solutions for a Healthy Future”, the event will bring together senior government officials and decision-makers from across the WHO European Region to explore practical approaches for shaping the future of AI for the benefit of nearly 1 billion people. Read more
Building capacity through the 2nd WHO Autumn School on Quality of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care
3 – 7 November 2025 | Athens, Greece
Empowering the public health leaders of tomorrow: the WHO European Public Health Leadership Course 2025
3 – 14 November 2025 | Athens, Greece
Seventh session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health
5 – 7 November 2025 | Budapest, Hungary
25th Meeting of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization
17 – 18 November 2025 | Copenhagen, Denmark
“I believe you”: building survivor-centred health systems for women and girls
20 – 21 November 2025 | Madrid, Spain
JADE 2025 regional simulation exercise
25 – 27 November 2025 | Online
“Better health begins in the regions: building bridges, creating solutions” – 30th annual meeting of the Regions for Health Network
26 – 28 November 2025 | St Pölten, Austria
Luxembourg’s Universal Health and Preparedness Review high-level mission
27 – 28 November 2025 | Luxembourg
