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
April 2026
WHO/Europe, through its Humanitarian Bridge Initiative in Cyprus, has facilitated the delivery of its first shipment of emergency humanitarian nutrition supplies to Gaza. The initiative was implemented in close coordination between WHO offices in Cyprus and the occupied Palestinian territories, with strong support from the Government of Cyprus, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense. Approximately 106 metric tons of life-saving nutrition supplies were mobilized from the Port of Limassol under the Amalthea Plan.
The consignment has safely arrived at Ashdod Port, Israel, and is currently being prepared for onward distribution to Gaza in support of WHO’s emergency response operations.
This shipment marks a significant operational milestone in strengthening WHO’s interregional humanitarian logistics capacity for a region affected by the ongoing conflict, particularly in Gaza. Read more
Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2)
Developing the Second European Programme of Work
TOP STORIES
17 March 2026
A recent scoping review led by WHO/Europe and Public Health Wales (United Kingdom) has found that people with greater health needs and language barriers still struggle to use digital health services and technologies, mainly due to limited access, low digital literacy and services being poorly adapted to diverse needs.
The review also found that inequities in digital infrastructure between regions risk creating uneven access to innovation. While equity is increasingly referenced in digital health strategies, it is often articulated at a high level, without operational standards to guide its inclusion or mechanisms enabling governments to provide oversight.
Together for Health. Stand with Science.
7 April 2026
This year’s World Health Day, 7 April 2026, kick-starts a year-long campaign to celebrate the power of scientific collaboration to advance health, save lives and transform societies.
8 April 2026
“Movement is life,” says Nataliia, gently nodding towards the physical therapy room, as if to emphasize her words. Inside, her husband Oleksandr is learning how to use a wheelchair under the guidance of a physical therapist.
For the past 3 months, Nataliia has not left her husband’s side. She has been caring for him after multiple complex surgeries – treating wounds and stitches and helping him relearn the simplest things: how to eat, drink and sit up again. Read more
Ten modular primary health care clinics installed across Ukraine
13-03-2026
WHO establishes modular ambulance stations to strengthen emergency medical response in Ukraine
18-03-2026
1 April 2026
This year’s World Health Day, 7 April 2026, kick-starts a year-long campaign to celebrate the power of scientific collaboration to advance health, save lives and transform societies. This includes using science to protect the health of people, animals, plants and the planet. Read more
One
Health: together for health – stand with science (photo story)
01-04-2026
WHO renews partnership with the University of Oxford, promoting healthy and sustainable diets
16-03-2026
Reflecting on years lost to long COVID: Susan’s experience
16-03-2026
European Region misses 1 in 5 TB cases, while drug-resistant strains remain among the worst globally
23-03-2026
Meningitis B outbreak in the United Kingdom
25-03-2026
When loneliness is the diagnosis, what can family doctors do?
26-03-2026
From evidence to action: improving affordable access to medicines in the Western Balkans
30-03-2026
Young voices in science: tackling early-onset colorectal cancer
01-04-2026
What does alcohol really cost society?
01-04-2026
New WHO database helps countries turn health data into better policy
08-04-2026
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COUNTRIES
23 March 2026
Norway has banned the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children to reduce overweight and obesity and to protect them from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and other noncommunicable diseases. Norway is among the first countries in the WHO European Region to implement the WHO recommendation to reduce children’s exposure to the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks.
The new legislation is not only a national achievement, but it also builds on international momentum to create healthier environments for children. Read more
Republic of Moldova receives live-saving medicines for treating children with cancer
08-04-2026
WHO renews collaborating centre on palliative care and rehabilitation based in the United Kingdom
18-03-2026
New WHO collaborating centre in Germany to strengthen child and adolescent health
12-03-2026
19 – 25 April 2026
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 marks the 20th annual EIW with the theme “For every generation, vaccines work”. Read more
Enhancing the role of people with lived experience to inform alcohol
policy and practice
21 April 2026 | online, 24 April 2026 | Copenhagen, Denmark
WHO and Kazakhstan to host ministerial session on health and environment at Regional Ecological Summit
22 – 24 April 2026 | Astana, Kazakhstan
WHO regional workshop on progress toward defeating meningitis by 2030
28 – 29 April 2026 | Copenhagen, Denmark
Open invitation to policy brief launch: The role of the arts in addressing the health impacts of climate change
29 April 2026 14:30–16:00 CEST | Copenhagen, Denmark , 08:30–10:00 EST (New York), Zoom
Rebooting health promotion: marking 40 years of the Ottawa Charter in the WHO European Region
29 - 30 April | Virtual dialogue
