On 14 and 15 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe held its 70th session. During the meeting, ministers of health and public health leaders from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region approved the European Programme of Work (EPW) for 2020-2025, setting out the next five years of work. Under the EPW, European Member States will work towards three core priorities:
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Guaranteeing the right to universal access to quality care without fear of financial hardship
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Protecting against health emergencies
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Building healthy communities, where public health actions and appropriate public policies secure a better life in an economy of well-being.
Under the EPW flagship programme on Mental Health, dementia is referenced as an example of one of the conditions which will be addressed by this programme. In addition, WHO Europe and the European Commission published a joint statement outlining five areas of common action:
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Health security against health emergencies and other threats
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Effective, accessible, resilient and innovative health systems
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A comprehensive response to non-communicable diseases with a focus on cancer
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Sustainable food systems and health
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Health cooperation with non-European Union countries in the WHO European Region.
You can read more about the 70 session of the Regional Committee at: https://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/governance/regional-committee-for-europe/70th-session/news/news/2020/09/in-brief-the-70th-session-of-the-who-regional-committee-for-europe-rc70
You can read more about the EPW here: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/european-programme-of-work/european-programme-of-work
