European Public Health Week 12-16 May 2025

Innovation for resilience Shaping a Sustainable Future

 

EUPHA is proud to co-host the following events

Thursday 15 May

Comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of health inequalities at the local level
10:00 - 11:00 CEST

Organised by: EuroHealthNet, Health promotion section

High levels of social inequity and associated health inequalities affect everyone and destabilise societies. Health inequalities are caused by unequal access to resources and opportunities, such as income, education, healthcare, and living conditions, that influence people's health. They are often driven by social, economic, and environmental factors, and cannot be addressed by the health sector or through lifestyle and behavioural interventionsalone.

Comprehensive local-level monitoring and actions are crucial to reducing health inequalities because they can be tailored to meet the specific needs, contexts and challenges faced by communities. Local action can strengthen access to resources, provide opportunities and create healthy living environments for everyone. Local authorities and actors are better placed to assess, reach and engage citizens and coordinate services across sectors.

There are important considerations when it comes to monitoring, designing, implementing and evaluating local-level strategies and actions to improve health and reduce health inequalities. How, for example, can citizens be engaged in efforts to investigate, protect and promote their own interests? What structures and mechanisms can be put in place to ensure effective cross-sectoral actions to reduce health inequalities, and what can be done to ensure that measures taken do not benefit residents who are already better off, more, thereby widening health inequalities?  

This session will explore these and other issues and questions on the theme of comprehensive local-level actions to address the root causes of health inequalities and showcase promising practice across the EU.

Agenda Summary:

10:00 – 10:05 | Opening Remarks

• Caroline Costongs (Director, EuroHealthNet)
• Charlotte Marchandise (Executive Director, EUPHA)

10:05 – 10:20 | Keynote Presentation

• Jennie Popay (Professor of Sociology and Health, University of Lancaster)

10:20 – 10:30 | Presentation

• Prof. Eric Breton (EHESP, France; Chair, EUPHA Health Promotion Section)

10:30 – 10:40 | Presentation

• Ingrid Stegeman (Programme Manager, EuroHealthNet)

10:40 – 10:50 | Presentation

• Dr. Mark Francis (Lead Researcher, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare; Health Inequalities Coordinator, Joint Action PreventNCDs)

10:50 – 11:00 | Discussion and Q&A

• Audience questions and closing reflections

Register here!

 

Vulnerability and minority in young people's health: Inclusive approach
12:15 - 13:30 CEST (in person and livestream)

Organised by: EHESP (École des hautes études en santé publique)
Speakers: Charlotte Marchandise, EUPHA and Professor Michal Molcho, Sociologist and the founder of the Children Studies Discipline, University of Galway

Whether you are a student, health care professional, policy maker, or any other engaged citizen, this event is for you! Our two guests, Professor Michal Molcho, Sociologist and the founder of the Children Studies Discipline, University of Galway, and Charlotte Marchandise, Executive Director of EUPHA will be sharing their insights into vulnerabilities, minorities, and their impact on the health of young people with an inclusive perspective. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and reflect in this webinar. We are welcome to your participation in this interactive session

Location: D7 room, Debre hall building in EHESP, Rennes, France
Click here for the livestream

 

Day 2 - BrailleRap Hackathon: Innovation for inclulsive public health
All day, Brussels

Public health challenges—from health inequalities and misinformation to climate change and antimicrobial resistance—demand innovative, collaborative solutions.

To explore how public health innovation can be better supported, EUPHA is hosting a pilot event during European Public Health Week to test the potential of a Public Health Innovation Lab. Envisioned as a dynamic space in Brussels, this Lab would accelerate real-world solutions through science, policy, and community-driven innovation.

We're kicking things off with the BrailleRap Hackathon, where inclusive innovation comes to life through the assembly of open-source Braille embossers.

Read more here and register!
Friday 16 May

Building an Advocacy Toolkit for Science Policy
14:00 - 17:00 CEST

Organised by: EUPHAnxt, Y4H & friends

This event focuses on building practical advocacy skills to help youth shape the policies that impact their future. At the core of the workshop is a dynamic skills-building session, where you will learn how to: 

• Craft a compelling, evidence-based message
• Adapt your communication for different audiences and stakeholders
• Present public health issues effectively using public speaking techniques
• Leverage social media as a powerful tool for digital advocacy 

Participants will apply these skills by working on one of four pressing public health topics:

1. Regulating Fast Food and Sugary Beverages
2. Investing in the Healthcare Workforce
3. Healthcare Access for Underserved Communities
4. Reimbursement of Digital Health Tools

Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers, engage in hands-on learning, and drive real-world change.

Programme
14:00 -14:10: Welcome and Opening Remarks - Jinane Ghattas and Patricia Pita Ferreira (EUPHAnxt)
14:10 -14:30: Icebreaker – Sophie Eicher (EUPHAnxt)
14:30 - 15:15: Skills-building session: Building the Advocacy Toolkit - Charlotte Merchandise (EUPHA); Jennifer Traini from (5rightsfoundation)
15:15 – 15:30: Break
15:30 – 16:30: Mock advocacy scenarios - EUPHAnxt with support from Sofia Beretta (EuroNet MRPH) and Federica Castellana (YoungWFPHA)
16:30 – 16:40: Reflections from reviewers - Charlotte Merchandise (EUPHA); Jennifer Traini (5rightsfoundation); Sarah Abitbol (EUPHA)
16:40 – 16:50: Wrap up
17:00 – 18:00: Networking

Location: (Sciensano) Brussels, Belgium

Register here!

PAST EVENTS

Wednesday 14 May

Day 1 - BrailleRap Hackathon: Innovation for inclulsive public health
All day, Brussels

Public health challenges—from health inequalities and misinformation to climate change and antimicrobial resistance—demand innovative, collaborative solutions.

To explore how public health innovation can be better supported, EUPHA is hosting a pilot event during European Public Health Week to test the potential of a Public Health Innovation Lab. Envisioned as a dynamic space in Brussels, this Lab would accelerate real-world solutions through science, policy, and community-driven innovation.

We're kicking things off with the BrailleRap Hackathon, where inclusive innovation comes to life through the assembly of open-source Braille embossers.

Kick-off webinar Healthy Ageing vs multimorbidities in a digital world
10:00 - 11:30 CEST

Organised by: WHO/EURO Ageing and Health programme, Healthy ageing section

Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions, affects a significant portion of the population, particularly those aged 65 and older. However, it is not exclusive to older adults. The consequences of multimorbidity are severe, including premature death, frequent hospital admissions, prolonged hospital stays, and poor quality of life, leading to high healthcare costs. Despite its prevalence, clinical practice guidelines and care delivery remain focused on single diseases, necessitating a shift to a more holistic approach.

Preventing multimorbidity is challenging, but certain strategies to tackle common risk factors, such as the harmful use of alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, and poor mental health can reduce the risk of developing multiple chronic conditions.

This webinar will explore methods for prevention and early identification multimorbidity. Additionally, it will showcase examples from European countries that have successfully tailored care to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Agenda Overview

10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Emilia Aragón de León - WHO Europe
• Charlotte Marchandise - EUPHA
• Zoltan Ungvari - EUPHA Healthy ageing section

10:10 – 10:20 | Keynote Presentation

• “Understanding Multimorbidity: Patterns, Risks, and Pathways”
• Ivan Bautmans (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

10:20 – 10:50 | Session: Innovative Approaches to Multimorbidity Management

• Introduction to Population Health Management – Jose Cerezo (WHO Europe)
• England: Advanced analytics to support problem-solving across organisational boundaries, by David Sgorbati, The Health Economics Unit at NHS Midlands and Lancashire
• Case Study: Portugal's Multimorbidity Clinical Pathway – Inês Vale

10:50 – 11:20 | Interactive Discussion

• Moderated by Zoltan Ungvari

Topics:

• Digital skills programs for older adults
• Tools to support early patient identification
• Public health’s role in addressing multimorbidity

11:20 – 11:30 | Closing and Future Engagement

• Summary: Emilia Aragón de León (WHO Europe)
• Future Opportunities: Yongjie Yon (WHO Europe, EUPHA)

 

Webinar - Strengthening Public Health Advocacy - The Global Perspective
13:00 - 14:00 CEST

Organised by: ASPHER, EUPHA, WFPHA, GNAPH

This webinar is a follow-up webinar to ASPHER and EUPHA webinar entitled: "Strengthening Public Health Advocacy", which took place on April 2nd 2025. This follow-up webinar will cover the global aspects of protecting public health, given the recent expressions of concern or calls for reevaluation of WHO membership in European countries, and beyond. The format of the webinar will be a dialogue between Emma Rawson-Te Patu (WFPHA President) and John Middleton (GNAPH President-elect), moderated by Avi Magid.

Monday 12 May

Optimising mental health of the health and care workforce
10:00 - 11:30 CEST

Organised by: WHO/EURO Mental Health unit, Mental Health Europe, Health and care workforce section

Mental health (MH) significantly impacts well-being, influencing physical health, social interactions, and economic productivity. MH conditions further represent a leading cause of disability in Europe, with a high burden on the overall healthcare system. Despite its importance, timely and equitable access to services is often complicated, resulting in worsening MH conditions, and increasing the risk of poor longer-term outcomes both for the individual and society.

Although many factors may underpin this picture, a critical issue arising in recent years – particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic – relates to the health workforce and the conditions under which they are working. Many health workers are reporting higher levels of stress and burnout, in parallel to a resource shortage. The declining mental health of the workforce may compromise the quality of care they provide, further limiting access to care. Concurrently, fewer young people are entering health careers, and MH careers particularly. Nursing professions are especially challenged. These issues have been related to, among other factors, long working hours with many shifts and little supervision, high turnover and few opportunities for career progression, high levels of stigma, especially related to mental health work, and moral injury. Health services are, in other words, not optimized for the mental health of their workforce.

Increasing access to quality mental health care and preventative services is a priority for countries, as identified in the EU-funded project “Addressing mental health challenges in the 27 European Union countries, Iceland and Norway,” coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. As part of a webinar series organized under this project, and in collaboration with the European Public Health Association under its annual European Public Health Week, WHO Regional Office for Europe is hosting a webinar aimed at exploring how to optimize mental health of the health and care workforce, supporting staff resilience and sense of meaning.

 Agenda Overview:
10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome Remarks

• Charlotte Marchandise (EUPHA)
  Ledia Lazeri (WHO Europe)

10:10 – 10:20 | Presentation: From Research to Policy

• Roberto Mediavilla Torres (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

10:20 – 10:30 | Presentation: Evidence vs. Policy

• Marius-Ionuț Ungureanu (Babeș-Bolyai University)
• Moderator: Jason Maurer (WHO Europe)

10:30 – 10:40 | Q&A Session
10:40 – 11:15 | Panel Discussion

• Miglė Trumpickaitė (European Junior Doctors Association)
• Julian Beezhold (European Psychiatric Association)
• Morgan Lucey (HSE, Ireland)
• Agita Melbārde-Kelmere (Rīga Stradiņš University)
• John Francis Leader (EFPA)
• Karilė Levickaitė (Mental Health Europe)
• Moderator: Giulio Castelpietra (WHO Europe)

11:15 – 11:25 | Audience Q&A
11:25 – 11:30 | Closing Remarks

• Cassie Redlich (WHO Europe)
• Monica Brinzac (EUPHW)

Opening of the week at European Parliament
15:00 - 17:00 CEST

Organised by: EUPHA

The opening session of the European Public Health Week 2025 will gather high-level speakers and representatives from major European and international institutions to explore how innovation can build resilience and support sustainable public health systems. The event will feature keynote contributions from leaders such as Nicu Ștefănuță, Raed Arafat, Hans Kluge, Lorena Boix, Laurent Muschel, and Pamela Rendi-Wagner, addressing themes like crisis preparedness, health system transformation, data-driven surveillance, and the role of public-private collaboration in ensuring health security. The session includes testimonials from Ukraine and Romania on lived experiences of crisis, followed by an open discussion with audience members.

Click here for the short programme and here for the longer programme.

 

EARLY: Robust Data on Youth Mental Health
17:00 - 18:00 CEST

Organised by: EARLY project partners, incl. EUPHA, Hochschule Emden/Leer, ASPHER, WONCA, GAMIAN and many more

Mental health conditions (MHC) are a significant public health challenge, particularly among the Youth. Mental health conditions share standard processes. Yet, knowledge on MHC and the common processes among youth, parents, and stakeholders is limited. Perceptions of MHCs may differ from scientifically established knowledge. In this webinar, we will 1) provide knowledge on perceptions of youth mental health among youth, parents, and stakeholders from Belgium, Germany, Poland and Serbia, and 2) highlight the 12-country epidemiological study, which will provide robust knowledge on youth mental health. Additionally, EUPHA will moderate Q&A's and deliver an overview on its engagement for the EARLY project.

Agenda Overview

17:00 – 17:05 | Welcome Remarks & Introduction

• Prof. Dr. Jutta Lindert (EUPHA Public Mental Health Section, President; University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer)

17:05 – 17:10 | Presentation: Participatory Approaches to Youth Mental Health

• Dr. Limor Adler (Tel Aviv University)

17:10 – 17:15 | Presentation: Perspectives from Belgium

• Simone Marchini (Université Libre de Bruxelles)

17:15 – 17:20 | Presentation: Perspectives from Poland

• Agniezka Wojtecka, PhD (Medical University of Gdańsk)

17:20 – 17:25 | Presentation: Perspectives from Serbia

• Marija Jevtić, MD, PhD (EUPHA Environment and Health Section, President; University of Novi Sad)

17:25 – 17:30 | Presentation: Perspectives from Germany

• Kim-Julian Behr (University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer)

17:30 – 17:38 | Next steps

• Prof. Dr. Jutta Lindert (EUPHA Public Mental Health Section, President; University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer)

17:38 – 17:45 | EUPHA's Involvement in the EARLY Project

• Charlotte Marchandise (EUPHA, Executive Director)

17:45 – 18:00 | Questions & Answers (Q&A): Youth Mental Health is Community Mental Health

 

Panel discussion webinar - Mental Health: Community support and vulnerable groups
18:00 - 19:00 CEST

Organised by: Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad, Department of Hygiene, Mental Health Committee RD2483, Rotary Club Novi Sad Eco-Art, RD 2483, Rotary Club Academia Osijek, and EUPHA Environment and health Section

This session will highlight the role of Rotary and its members, including professionals within its network, in contributing to mental health and providing support to vulnerable groups. Rotary, as a global organization, is dedicated to fostering mental health awareness and offering assistance to those facing mental health challenges. The discussion will focus on the ways in which Rotary can support community-based initiatives, help raise awareness, and engage professionals in providing crucial services to vulnerable populations.

Tuesday 13 May

One Health in the Global Health agenda: Towards a healthier and more sustainable future for all 
10:00 - 11:15 CEST

Organised by: WHO Europe, Global health section

Global health is an emerging international priority. It is simultaneously an aspiration, and a mindset based on understanding that the global environment is the scene where people can be developed mentally and physically, aiming to live in balance. It builds on shared common values and norms, and a commonly agreed approach to tackling health problems with worldwide prevalence or a geographical dimension.

An approach to critically consider in the global health agenda priorities is that of One Health. One Health recognizes that the health of people is interconnected to the health of animals and our shared environment. With megatrends at interplay, i.e., climate change and environmental degradation, changing demographic trends and patterns of trade and travel, increasing urbanization, incl. in low- and middle-income countries seeing the fastest urbanization globally, and with the emergence of digital and frontier technologies, there is an urgent need to integrate this approach in our global health agenda. Critically, with global inequalities are high and rising, with growing discontent that can impact on political stability, it is critical to consider security aspects and mechanisms to safeguard resilient systems and societies, safeguarding a sustainable future for all.

This interdisciplinary event will examine key aspects, governance mechanisms and activities to be considered in priority settings and for future actions to this effect. From policy to research and capacity-building, due consideration will be given to the Quadripartite activities, the work for the pandemic accord, innovative projects to transform collaboration and decision-making and, capacity-bulding for the global public health workforce so as to ensure capacity in expertise and in numbers across settings and borders.

Target audience: Health professionals, policymakers, researchers, students, and representatives from environmental and veterinary sectors.

Agenda Overview:

• 10:00 – 10:05 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
  • Charlotte Marchandise (EUPHA) 
  • Elena Petelos (EUPHA Global Health Section) 
  • Simona Seravesi (WHO/Europe) 
• 10:05 – 10:20 | Panel: Regional Perspectives on One Health in Europe
  • Sinaia Netanyahu (WHO European Centre for Environment and Health)
• 10:20 – 10:30 | Panel: Health Security and the Pandemic Agreement
  • Dimitra Lingri (EUPHA Public Health Law section)
  • Elena Petelos (EUPHA Global Health section)
  • Julia Langer (DG Santé) 
• 10:30 – 10:45 | Panel: Innovation in One Health Governance and Collaboration
  • Marleen Bekker (EUPHA PHPP)
  • Katie Woolaston (KW Green Governance Solutions / Nature4Health)
  • Maria Feio (OneAquaHealth Coordinator)
• 10:45 – 10:55 | Panel: Building the Future One Health Workforce
  • Simon Rüegg (University of Zürich)
  • Mary Codd and Karl Konyard (ASPHER)
• 10:55 – 11:10 | Open Discussion and Q&A
• 11:10 – 11:15 | Closing Remarks

 

Webinar - Accrediting Public Health Education in Europe: Trust, Equity, Impact
13:00 - 14:00 CEST

Organised by: APHEA, EUPHA

Accreditation as a Foundation of Trust in Public Health explores how quality assurance mechanisms can strengthen both public and professional trust in public health systems. It examines how accreditation can help bridge gaps by supporting equitable training across regions and institutions, ensuring that all areas have access to the necessary resources and expertise. The topic also addresses the challenge of harmonizing public health education in a diverse Europe, balancing shared competencies with local relevance. This approach aims to build a mobile, collaborative, and skilled workforce.

 

Panel discussion webinar - Growing inspired by Nature Climate and Sustainability Action in Rotary
18:00 - 19:00 CEST

Organised by: Faculty of Medicine Novi Sad, Department of Hygiene, Rotary Club Novi Sad Eco-Art RD2483, Rotary Club Academia Osijek, LUNGSEUROPE, EUPHA Environment and health Section

This session will explore the importance of green activities and the role they play in Rotary. By engaging in environmental initiatives, Rotary members can contribute to the health of the planet while strengthening community bonds. Through activities like tree planting, sustainability projects, and eco-friendly workshops, Rotary offers opportunities to both serve the environment and engage with local communities. This is a time for discussion and action that aligns with Rotary’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development, ultimately making a positive impact for future generations.