EPH Conference statement commitment 2: “We commit to policies and funding that reduce health gaps, embrace cultural diversity, and involve marginalised communities in shaping health decisions that affect them.”
Prioritising equity through inclusive health investments is central to strengthening health systems and societies across Europe. Evidence consistently demonstrates that health inequities are systematic, socially determined, and avoidable, for example reflected in discrimination & racism, sex & gender disparities or differential access to quality education, housing and health services (Marmot, 2007; WHO, 2025). Reducing these gaps is not only a matter of social justice but also of long-term system sustainability.
Equity-oriented investment requires moving beyond universal approaches alone and addressing structural barriers faced by vulnerable populations. WHO Europe highlights that a widening gap in health equity threatens social cohesion, institutional trust, and economic stability, and that equity and inclusion are essential for fair and sustainable recovery (World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2023). Investing in prevention and inclusive public health policies is therefore not only a matter of fairness, but a practical strategy for stronger and more resilient societies.
However, turning equity commitments into action requires meaningful participation. The well-being economy approach recognises that solutions lie across sectors and that progress depends on engaging communities directly in shaping priorities and services (World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, 2023). Engaging communities with lived experiences directly via social participation ensures that investments reflect and address lived realities rather than abstract assumptions, strengthening legitimacy and implementation (WHO, 2021).
Now these inclusive approaches more often emerge locally: municipalities designing culturally sensitive vaccination programmes; regional authorities allocating targeted funding to affected neighbourhoods; community organisations collaborating with public institutions to improve access to services; or health systems embedding equity criteria in budgeting and planning decisions. These efforts demonstrate how inclusive governance can translate commitment into action.
This focus strongly aligns with the overarching theme of European Public Health Week: “Investing for sustainable health and well-being.” Addressing inequities is not an additional cost, but a high-return investment in societal stability and well-being.