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
May 2026
TOP STORIES
20 April 2026
WHO/Europe has released a new report assessing the rapidly evolving use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care across the 27 European Union (EU) Member States. The first comprehensive review of its kind, the report reveals strong and consistent momentum across EU Member States, with all 27 countries recognizing improved patient care as a driver of AI development and the majority already deploying AI tools in clinical settings.
The report, produced as part of a multi-year funding agreement with the European Commission, builds on a recent WHO/Europe regional report, published in late 2025, by zooming in on the 27 EU Member States specifically.
Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction.
31 May 2026
World No Tobacco Day is marked annually on 31 May – bringing together governments, health organizations, civil society and youth from around the world to raise awareness of the threats of tobacco use and the tactics used by the tobacco industry, and to promote effective measures to end nicotine and tobacco addiction.
08 May 2026
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, briefed media today on a cluster of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship, the MV Hondius.
Eight cases have been reported so far, including three deaths. Five of the 8 cases have been confirmed as hantavirus.
The hantavirus involved is the Andes virus, the only species known to be capable of limited transmission between humans, linked to close and prolonged contact. Read more
Message by the WHO Director-General to the people of Tenerife regarding the hantavirus response
09-05-2026
In memory of those lost in the earthquakes in Türkiye; in recognition of those who responded
27-04-2026
Forty years after Chornobyl: supporting the health system to respond to threats
27-04-2026
Step by step: coordinated evacuations provide a lifeline for sick and injured Ukrainians
28-04-2026
3000 attacks on health care in Ukraine verified by WHO since full-scale invasion
08-05-2026
24 April 2026
The WHO European Region has made real progress on influenza vaccination over the past 15 years. Since 2008/2009, the number of doses distributed across the Region has doubled, and by 2021/2022 every Member State had established a national influenza vaccination programme – making it the first of WHO’s six global regions to achieve this. Yet a new study published in “The Lancet Regional Health – Europe” to coincide with European Immunization Week 2026, shows how uneven that progress remains and how far the Region still has to go. Read more
For every generation, vaccines work (photo story)
20-04-2026
WHO designates new Collaborating Centre for Digital Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness
15-04-2026
Using evidence to inform action on influenza vaccination: findings from a new 15-year study
22-04-2026
WHO designates new collaborating centre to focus on HIV, viral hepatitis,TB and STIs
30-04-2026
Persistent data gaps undermine key health-related goals, new study finds
01-05-2026
How to strengthen collaborative surveillance in the WHO European Region
05-05-2026
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08 May 2026
As countries across the WHO European Region face the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental health pressures and growing concern over youth nicotine use, Belgium is strengthening its public health agenda through a new partnership framework with WHO and stronger preventive health measures.
On 8 May 2026, Belgium and the World Health Organization signed a new WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for 2026–2030, marking a new phase in the longstanding partnership. Read more
COUNTRIES
28 April 2026
The healing power of art is the focus of a new national campaign in Ukraine, launched by WHO/Europe and partners, including the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and Art Therapy Force. Healing Arts Ukraine will bring arts-based approaches to support Ukraine’s health system and strengthen resilience in the face of conflict. Amid ongoing war, Ukraine continues to face immense health and humanitarian challenges, yet alongside these hardships, stories of resilience are emerging, many driven by the transformative role of arts and culture in healing and recovery. It is these stories of resilience and transformation that the new campaign seeks to bring to life Read more
Polio altered their future: remembering a time before vaccination
17-04-2026
Building trust in rehabilitation: addressing small details for big gains
19-04-2026
Hungary expands medical curricula to support vaccine communication
24-04-2026
WHO announces new collaborating centre on place-based approach to health in Scotland, United Kingdom
28-04-2026
North Macedonia adopts milestone plan to manage mass casualty incidents
29-04-2026
Evelina’s story: a new hope for children with cancer in the Republic of Moldova
30-04-2026
Ireland strengthens equitable access to assistive technology, new WHO assessment shows
06-05-2026
A catalyst for mental health recovery: The power of lived experience
07-05-2026
28 May 2026 10:30–12:00 CEST | online
Menstrual health, defined as complete physical, mental and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle, is increasingly recognized as both a human rights issue and a public health priority. Across the WHO European Region, however, many women and girls continue to face barriers that undermine their dignity, comfort, health and well-being. Read more
Leadership course on Ageing is Living: unlocking the potential of population ageing – 2026 edition
13 – 15 May 2026 | Bilbao, Spain
Workshop – Developing anti-stigma and discrimination activities in the Republic of Moldova using the WHO Mosaic toolkit
14 May 2026 | Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Advancing equity in digital health: from principles to practice
18 May 2026 11:00–12:00 CEST | online
Powering-up action on climate and health: from politics to implementation
19 May 2026 18:00–19:20 CEST | Geneva, Switzerland and virtual
Strengthening action on liver health and alcohol harm: WHO/Europe at EASL Congress 2026
27 – 30 May 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
QualityRights conference: building a community of practice to reduce coercion in mental health services
27 – 28 May 2026 | Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Healthier food for healthier people: policies to improve the nutrition environment
2 – 3 June | Copenhagen, Denmark
Building tomorrow’s health workforce: 12th high-level meeting of the Small Countries Initiative
4 – 5 June | Riga, Latvia
Growing Healthier Together: raising awareness on child and youth mental health in Greece
6 June 2026
