News

New path for health and human rights opens in Andorra 06-07-2017

Andorra inaugurated a 30-kilometre walking trail that spans the length of the country to promote physical activity in an innovative and inclusive way. Every kilometre along the path is marked by a sign representing one of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Europe’s small countries commit to ending childhood obesity 27-06-2017

Ministers of health from the 8 small states of the European Region – countries with a population of less than 1 million – have signed the Malta Statement on Ending Childhood Obesity. These countries have some of the highest rates of childhood and adolescent obesity in the Region.

Measuring primary health care performance: what’s new? 20-04-2017

In their pursuing to meet global commitments, countries of the WHO European Region are renewing their commitment to primary health care (PHC) as a means of improving responsiveness and bringing cost-effective health services closer to individuals, their families and communities.

Global health diplomacy course for small countries held in Cyprus 15-03-2017

Dr George Pamboridis, Minister of Health, Republic of Cyprus, opened the global health diplomacy course for small countries on 13 March 2017, held in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Communicating health and the Sustainable Development Goals: experiences from small countries of the WHO European Region 01-11-2016

One of the 4 key action areas of WHO/Europe’s small countries initiative is to support the implementation of Health 2020 by better engaging the media as a partner. Collaborating with the media to raise awareness of health issues, goals and targets is also critical to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for the involvement of civil society, the private sector and individuals from every country in order to hold governments accountable and ensure progress.

What resilience is and why it matters to small countries 28-10-2016

Ministers endorse joint statement on climate change and health at high-level meeting of small countries 12-10-2016

Today, health ministers and policy-makers from eight European countries endorsed a statement that commits them to joining efforts in protecting people’s health from adverse effects of climate change. The Third High-level Meeting of Small Countries, which includes WHO European countries with a population of less than one million, took place in Monaco on 11–12 October 2016 to strengthen collaboration in tackling today’s complex health challenges.

Small Countries Health Information Network Report 19-07-2016

A report on the first meeting of focal points of the Small Countries Health Information Network (SCHIN) has been published setting out priorities, a joint action plan and the roles and responsibilities of all SCHIN partners. SCHIN's aim is to bring together small countries to exchange experiences and address shared health information challenges.

New course builds “soft skills” for greater health equity and well-being in policy 01-07-2016

On 8–10 June 2016, WHO/Europe held the first "flagship" course on Equity in Health in All Policies (eHiAP). The course is designed to build capacity in the "soft skills" needed to bridge policies and sectors to ensure greater health equity and well-being. The soft skills required for policy implementation are agenda-setting, stakeholder analysis and negotiating with a wide range of policy-makers. The participants included individuals from the Nordic and Baltic countries who work at national, regional and local levels to shape and implement policies to improve health outcomes.

WHO conducts infectious substances shipping training for national influenza centres from 19 countries 15-06-2016

24 specialists from 19 countries achieved certification after attending WHO's infectious substances shippers training (ISST) in Tbilisi, Georgia on 2–4 May 2016.

European Health Information Initiative expands by 7 members at 4th Steering Group Meeting 12-04-2016

Georgia, Lithuania, Malta and Portugal are the latest Member States to be welcomed to the European Health Information Initiative (EHII) alongside new institutional members Public Health England, the European Public Health Association, and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, which is a WHO collaborating centre.

Small Countries Health Information Network meets for the first time 18-03-2016

The Maltese Ministry for Energy and Health hosted the first meeting of the focal points of the Small Countries Health Information Network (SCHIN) in Valetta on 3 and 4 March 2016.

San Marino’s committment to raise awareness on social determinants of health 10-03-2016

In 2015, San Marino in close collaboration with its state-owned television and radio broadcaster RTV developed 3 initiatives to promote health education, focusing on persons with disability and road safety. More initiatives are planned for 2016.

Malta to host meeting on importance of data coverage for small countries 18-02-2016

Small countries have a huge need for data, but most have difficulties in achieving effective health data coverage. To address this gap, on 3–4 March 2016, Malta will host a meeting on data collection in small countries.

HIV/AIDS programme review in Turkey 21-09-2015

The HIV/AIDS programme review took place in Ankara and Istanbul on 7–11 September 2015 with the aim of assessing the current HIV/AIDS situation in Turkey.

Eliminating trans fats in Europe 21-09-2015

The WHO European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020 mandates WHO to work with countries to develop and implement national policies to ban or virtually eliminate trans fats from the food supply.

A health movement starting in small countries 31-07-2015

On 2–3 July 2015 in Soldeu, Andorra, the second high-level meeting of the small countries initiative took place. During the event, Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino met to share their experience concerning national health plans and their alignment with Health 2020. "The health and welfare of people is one of the pillars of a welfare state," said Antoni Marti Petit, Prime Minister of Andorra.

Meeting of small countries takes the life-course approach forward in the context of Health 2020 13-07-2015

Health promotion and disease prevention throughout the life course was one of the main themes at the meeting of countries of the WHO European Region with a population of less than 1 million held in Andorra on 2–3 July 2015, "Taking forward Health 2020: small countries at the forefront of the whole-of-government approaches to health".

Second meeting of the small countries initiative in Andorra: implementing the life-course approach vision 03-07-2015

Delegates from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino gathered in Andorra on 2 and 3 July for the second high-level ministerial meeting of the eight small countries to confirm their commitment to implementing the Health 2020 vision in countries with populations of less than 1 million people.

Nordic countries committed to tackling health inequities 02-09-2014

Participants at the 11th Nordic Conference on Public Health, organized by the Nordic Societies for Health and Well-being and held in Trondheim, Norway on 27–29 August 2014, negotiated and signed the Trondheim Declaration, committing themselves to contributing to increasing Nordic collaboration for equitable health and well-being in the Nordic region, and reducing global health inequities. The Declaration recognizes the key role of Health 2020, as the European framework and strategy to improve health and well-being.

The San Marino meeting – a big step for small countries 25-08-2014

To help countries achieve health equity, WHO/Europe convened a kick-off meeting in July in San Marino with representatives from 8 small countries in the Region to discuss implementation of the Health 2020 vision. 

Iceland approves policy on alcohol and drug prevention until 2020 24-02-2014

The Minister of Health of Iceland has approved an alcohol and drug prevention policy until 2020. A task force made up of representatives from several ministries will define quantifiable targets on the basis of this policy and develop a plan of action to work towards achieving them. The policy also covers the abuse of prescription drugs which can lead to addiction and dependency. 

World Health Assembly, day 2: General Programme of Work for next 6 years approved 23-05-2013

The World Health Assembly approved a resolution on the General Programme of Work and changes to the financial regulations and rules on 21 May 2013.

World Health Assembly, day 2: resolution on noncommunicable diseases approved 24-05-2012

A resolution on strengthening noncommunicable disease policies to promote active ageing was approved by countries on the second day of WHO’s global annual meeting.