Newsletter - January 2025

1. Editorial
2. EUPHA update
3. European Public Health Conference
4. European Journal of Public Health
5. Call for proposals, job opportunities
6. Interesting news
7. Upcoming courses and conferences
8. Interesting publications
9. European Institutions’ news
10. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control news
11. WHO news

1. Editorial

Facing challenges together in 2025

As we begin the year, we are already confronted with significant challenges. Among them is the recent decision by the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This move threatens global health cooperation at a time when unity is crucial. EUPHA has issued a public statement on this development, reaffirming our commitment to multilateralism and the vital work of WHO.

As public health professionals, it is our duty to stand firm in support of the multilateral global system, which remains crucial to addressing health challenges worldwide. The WHO's work, especially in Europe, is indispensable, and we urge European governments to reaffirm their commitment to the organization. By doing so, we ensure that health for all, regardless of background or circumstance, remains a priority.

Your voice matters – help us improve

2025 marks a year of growth and connection for EUPHA. We are excited to welcome new members (read more about this below), reflecting our expanding reach and influence. This spirit of growth extends to our newsletter, too. We want to ensure it meets your needs and keeps you inspired. What topics matter most to you? What could we do better? Please take a moment to share your feedback through our short survey. The survey should take 3-5 minutes to complete and closes on the 28 February 2025. 

Your insights will guide us in shaping a more valuable and engaging newsletter for the public health community. Thank you for your continued support and ideas!

Warm regards,

Dr. Tit Albreht, EUPHA President
Charlotte Marchandise, Executive Director.

2. EUPHA update

New EUPHA team member

We are excited to welcome Monica Georgiana Brînzac as our new Network Coordinator. Monica is no stranger to EUPHA—she previously served as EUPHAnxt Coordinator, where she connected young public health professionals across Europe to inspire collaboration and innovation.

She brings a wealth of experience to her new role, including work on European projects addressing medical deserts, promoting mental health, and strengthening primary healthcare systems. Her passion for tackling healthcare inequalities and improving health system resilience, equity, and responsiveness will be a tremendous asset to our team.

As Network Coordinator, Monica will work closely with EUPHA’s Sections and members to foster collaboration and drive impactful initiatives. Her first task: coordinating European Public Health Week 2025! 

Welcome to our new EUPHA members

We are thrilled to announce the addition of three new members to EUPHA, strengthening our collective efforts to advance public health in Europe.

• Romanian Association of Dental Public Health
  A 27-year-old non-governmental organization, the Romanian Association of Dental Public Health brings together dental specialists and residents focused on dental prevention and public health. With 82 members, they are dedicated to promoting the integration of dental health within broader public health efforts.
• National Institute of Health of Armenia
  The National Institute of Health of Armenia is committed to advancing public health through research, education, and policy advocacy. They are excited to collaborate with fellow European institutions, share best practices, and contribute to EUPHA’s mission of improving public health outcomes across the continent.
• Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health – University of Padova, Italy
  Based at the University of Padova, this unit promotes research and training initiatives aimed at improving population health. Their focus on applied research and technological innovation in the health sector, combined with their commitment to fostering dialogue between the research community and public health policies, makes them a valuable addition to EUPHA.

We look forward to the expertise and collaboration that these new members will bring to our growing network!

Save the date: European Public Health Week 2025

Mark your calendars! The seventh European Public Health Week (EUPHW) will take place from 12 to 16 May 2025, focusing on the theme "Innovation for Resilience: Shaping a Sustainable Future."

Join public health professionals, policymakers, students, and citizens from across Europe in exploring how innovation can strengthen public health systems and promote sustainability in a rapidly evolving world.

The week kicks off on 12 May with an in-person and virtual event in Brussels, featuring dynamic sessions, engaging discussions, and a Hackathon on Co-Designing a Public Health Innovation Lab.

Stay tuned for daily themes, partner events, and ways to get involved!

Joint reaction to the Council Conclusion on Cardiovascular Health

We are proud to announce the publication of our jointly co-created position paper, "A Joint Reaction to the Council Conclusions on Cardiovascular Health." Developed in collaboration with our esteemed partners, this paper reflects our shared commitment to advancing cardiovascular health policies across Europe.

Co-created by:

• Alzheimer Europe
• Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER)
• Digestive Cancers Europe
• European Liver Patients' Association (ELPA)
• European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)
• European Public Health Association (EUPHA)
• European Respiratory Society (ERS)
• European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association (ETCMA)
• EuroHealthNet
• International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG)
• International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA)

Together, we proudly present this collective effort in the hope of positively influencing cardiovascular health policies and fostering a more integrated, preventive, and patient-centered approach.

Read the full position paper here and join us in advocating for stronger cardiovascular health policies across Europe!

Update on the RIVER-EU project

The Reducing Inequalities in Vaccine uptake in the European Region – Engaging Underserved Communities (RIVER-EU) project is now in its fourth year of the five-year Horizon 2020 initiative (2021–2026). In 2025, the project continues its work by implementing tailored vaccination interventions in Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, and Slovakia. These interventions aim to reduce barriers to vaccine uptake and build trust in health systems. Country partners are evaluating their efforts through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires.

To ensure the project’s sustainability, an exploitation plan is being developed alongside two key deliverables: the SEKI platform and policy guidelines, which incorporate lessons learned and insights from partners.

Learn more about the project’s progress and interventions on the RIVER-EU website.

3. European Public Health Conference

Call for abstracts: 18th EPH Conference

Abstract submission for the 18th European Public Health Conference is open from 1 February to 1 May 2025 (18:00 CET). Submit your work for workshops, oral presentations, pitch presentations, or ePosters. All sessions will be 60 minutes. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your hard work, learn from others, and share your knowledge. More information here.

Abstract tutoring programme

EPH Conference and EUPHAnxt offer an Abstract Tutoring Programme to support young and less experienced researchers. The Abstract Tutoring Programme is open 1 February to 9 April 2025. This programme provides feedback from experienced reviewers, especially for those with limited access to guidance on abstract writing. Learn more here.

Conference theme and programme for 2025

The 18th EPH Conference will take place in Helsinki, Finland, from 11–14 November 2025. Pre-conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, 11 November, followed by the main conference from 12–14 November. The theme for 2025 is: "Investing for Sustainable Health and Well-Being." Explore the theme here.

Registration opens 1 April 2025

Registration for the 18th EPH Conference begins on 1 April 2025. Stay tuned for the announcement of registration fees on the EPH Conference website.

4. European Journal of Public Health

Advance articles

The economic burden of smoking in Belgium: incremental healthcare costs and lost productivity 
Pieter Vynckier and others

High prevalence of unrecognized chronic kidney disease in the Lolland-Falster Health Study: a population-based study in a rural provincial area of Denmark 
Ebba Mannheimer and others

Stillbirth rate trends across 25 European countries between 2010 and 2021: the contribution of maternal age and multiplicity 
Maxi S Kniffka and others

Effectiveness of the AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 hospitalization in Europe: final results from the COVIDRIVE test-negative case–control study 
Leonie de Munter and others

Advancing personalized medicine: key priorities for clinical studies and funding systems based on a Europe–China collaborative Delphi survey 
Tommaso Osti and others

Public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics use and resistance in Montenegro 
Maja Raicevic and others

Increasing incidence and prevalence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Finland: a population-based registry study 
Tessa Antikainen and others

Using Rasch analysis to assess the latent construct of the Capacity to Work Index in a Swedish working population sample 
Agneta Blomberg and others

Preventing common mental health problems by increasing neighbourhood socioeconomic status: a mental health impact assessment in Rotterdam, the Netherlands 
Daina Kosīte and others

The contribution of common mental disorders and alcohol-related morbidity to educational differences in early labour market exit among older workers: a register-based cohort study 
Emma Carlsson and others

Parental impact on adherence of young children to 24-h movement behaviour guidelines: the Czech FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep study 
Dagmar Sigmundová and others

Trends in smoking-attributable cardiovascular mortality in Germany 
Ute Mons and others

Effectiveness of targeted social and behavior change communication on maternal health knowledge, attitudes, and institutional childbirth: a cluster-randomized trial in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia 
Lakew Abebe Gebretsadik and others

Telemedicine in cancer care: lessons from COVID-19 and solutions for Europe 
Anita Gottlob and others

Physical activity partially mediates the association between health literacy and mild cognitive impairment in older adults: cross-sectional evidence from Switzerland 
Clément Meier and others

5. Call for proposals, job opportunities

Wellcome Early-Career Awards

This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. Deadline for new applications is 25 February 2025 (17:00 GMT). Read more about the scheme here. 

Daniel Carasso Fellowship - call for nominations 2025

The Daniel Carasso Fellowship closes on 10th March at 14:00 (UTC+1). Research projects must address challenges in food systems and sustainability, and applicants need a nomination from a researcher at a Spanish university or non-profit institution.

Health Ethics Officer WHO - Geneva, Switzerland

The Research for Health Department in WHO's Science Division focuses on accelerating the impact of ethical, evidence-based research to improve global health. They are currently recruiting a Health Ethics Officer on a temporary 12 month contract. Deadline for applications is 3 February 2025.

6. Interesting news

Strengthening rehabilitation care financing in Ukraine: WHO and European Observatory present preliminary findings

Preliminary results of the study from WHO and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies titled “Rehabilitation services financing and organization: learning from European countries towards strengthening rehabilitation care in Ukraine” reveal that countries across Europe pursue different approaches to ensure equitable and sustainable access to rehabilitation services. 
Read more here. 

This is what might happen if the US withdraws from the WHO

The US is the biggest donor to the WHO, and the loss of this income is likely to have a significant impact on the organization, which develops international health guidelines, investigates disease outbreaks, and acts as an information-sharing hub for member states.
Read more here. 

7. Upcoming courses and conferences

8. Interesting publications

Tackling the primary healthcare workforce crisis: time to talk about health systems and governance--a comparative assessment of nine countries in the WHO European region

This study aims to bridge the gap between the primary healthcare policy and the ongoing healthcare workforce crisis debate by introducing a health system and governance approach to identify capacities that may help respond effectively to the HCWF crisis in health system contexts. Read the publication in full here. 

The dark side of the moon: can critical health literacy offer solutions to the fundamental problems of health literacy?

This commentary is intended as a response to ongoing concerns expressed about fundamental limitations of current research, policy, and practice surrounding health literacy. A case is made that critical health literacy, as a concept that operates at both the community and individual level, offers an opportunity to address and eventually overcome these basic limitations in current health literacy approaches. Read the full publication here. 

Taking the pulse of quality of care and patient safety in the WHO European Region: multidimensional analysis and future prospects

This report presents the first cross-sectional analysis of quality of care and patient safety in the WHO European Region. The report’s findings highlight the need for multidimensional quality improvement frameworks and a whole-system approach to quality of care to ensure sustainable, equitable and high-quality care for all. Read the full publication here. 

Mental health impairment and recovery after a road traffic injury: where do we stand in Europe?

Individuals sustaining road traffic injuries (RTIs) have been shown to run an increased risk of impaired mental health over time and delayed recovery. It is often the case that mental health symptoms get less clinical attention among individuals sustaining RTIs and therefore psychological support tends to be delayed. The paper concludes that existing efforts to fully understand the mental health outcomes of RTI patients remain inconsistent in Europe and offers evidence-based solutions to guide public health research and policy. Read the full publication here. 

9. European Institutions’ news

European Commission

President Ursula von der Leyen's recent hospitalization for severe pneumonia, which was not fully disclosed initially, has intensified discussions about transparency within the European Commission. This incident coincides with the Commission's ongoing efforts to enhance openness, including the requirement for senior officials to disclose meetings with lobbyists. 

Cybersecurity Action Plan for Hospitals: On the 15 January 2025, the European Commission launched a European action plan to strengthen the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers. We encourage you to review the action plan now, and we will share the details of the upcoming 'Have Your Say' consultation with you.

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Regulation: The new EU Regulation effective from 12 January 2025, ensures EU countries collaborate to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medicines and health tools. By sharing findings, countries can speed up patient access to new treatments.

Animal welfare policies: In December 2023, the European Commission proposed reforms to improve animal welfare, including updated standards for animal transport, farming, and traceability. These changes aim to enhance food safety and reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases. An exchange of views with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was scheduled for 29 January 2025, to discuss these proposals. EFSA will also provide a scientific opinion on the European Citizens' Initiative "Fur Free Europe," with the assessment expected by March 2025. We will notify you when public consultations ("Have Your Say") are available and when EFSA’s scientific opinion is published.

European Parliament

SANT Committee officially fully fledged and we will start attending, starting on the 29 January 2025.

European People’s Party (EPP) chief Manfred Weber plans to seek reelection as president of the influential center-right party
Health Security: on the 10 January 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”. 

European elections and public health

Croatia Presidential election (29 December 2024)
Incumbent President Zoran Milanović secured re-election with 74% of the vote in a runoff against conservative candidate Dragan Primorac (AP News). His critical stance on the EU and NATO may shape Croatia’s engagement with EU health strategies, particularly in digital health, pandemic preparedness and EU health security strategy.

Belarus Presidential Election (26 January 2025)
President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 87.6% of the vote. The election, criticized by Western nations as unfair, has drawn EU condemnation over human rights violations and lack of political participation, impacting future health security collaboration.

Upcoming elections

• Kosovo (9 February 2025): Parliamentary elections could impact public health policies, with incumbent PM Albin Kurti focusing on healthcare funding and pandemic response.
• Germany (23 February 2025): Federal elections, featuring CDU’s Friedrich Merz and SPD’s Olaf Scholz, may influence Germany’s role in EU health initiatives. Elon Musk’s endorsement of the AfD has sparked concerns over rising populism (Financial Times). 

Global health

Trump's presidential return: a new era for transatlantic health security begins, as President Donald Trump is inaugurated on the 20 January, the EU must anticipate potential shifts in transatlantic health security. EUPHA underscores the importance of reinforcing collaborations with NATO to address shared health threats, including pandemics and bioterrorism. The Danish Presidency's focus on the Arctic, particularly Greenland, presents a strategic opportunity to enhance health security measures in this geopolitically sensitive region.

U.S. TikTok ban: implications for digital health in Europe: Following TikTok's brief shutdown on the 19 January 2025 in the U.S., Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna urged the EU to consider a ban, citing risks of data misuse for intelligence or cyberattacks. These concerns, highlighted by Estonia’s intelligence services, also threaten digital health in Europe, where sensitive health data and public trust are at stake. German Green MEP Sergei Lagodinsky proposed an alternative, urging the EU to establish a public-private partnership to acquire platforms like TikTok and safeguard European interests.

Gaza conflict: Following the historic ceasefire in Gaza, declared on the 19 January 2025, EUPHA is actively monitoring the situation building on our November statement. We continue to focus on rebuilding healthcare infrastructure, ensuring access to essential medicines, and addressing critical issues such as antibiotic resistance.

Council

15 January 2025: Draft regulation statements on EHDS: Council’s conclusions released on the 17 December 2024:
EU level

• The EU beyond the half-way point in implementing the 2030 Agenda: Policy coherence for sustainable development to accelerate progress on the SDGs.
• European Court of Auditors' Special Report No 15/2024 entitled "Climate adaptation in the EU - Action not keeping up with ambition" - Council conclusions.

Global level

• Council conclusions on EU priorities for cooperation with the Council of Europe in 2025-2026. Health mentioned related to healthcare condition in prison, youth, right to a healthy environment.

10. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control news

Eurosurveillance - Volume 30, Issue 3, 23 January 2025

Rapid communication

Detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in wastewater samples: a wake-up call, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, 2024
Sindy Böttcher, Julian Kreibich, Thomas Wilton, Vanessa Saliba, Soile Blomqvist, Haider Al-Hello, Carita Savolainen-Kopra, Magdalena Wieczorek, Beata Gad, Arleta Krzysztoszek, Rosa M Pintó, María Cabrerizo, Albert Bosch, Eugene Saxentoff, Sabine Diedrich and Javier Martin.

Challenges of the public health response to a rare case of non-autochthonous Mycobacterium leprae, Ireland, 2024
Rebecca Marshall, Eddie Horgan, Hugh Duane, Annette Dillon, Nadra Nurdin, Sarah O’Connell, Corinna Sadlier, Anne Dee, Anne Sheahan and Peter Barrett.

Outbreak of hantavirus disease caused by Puumala virus, Croatia, 2021
Mari Rončević Filipović, Zlatko Trobonjača, Đurđica Cekinović Grbeša, Marinko Filipović, Melita Kukuljan, Ena Mršić, Vanja Tešić and Stela Živčić-Ćosić.

Effect of urban structure, population density and proximity to contagion on COVID-19 infections during the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Omicron waves in Málaga, Spain, March 2020 to December 2021
Sebastián Alejandro Vargas Molina, Juan Francisco Sortino Barrionuevo and María Jesús Perles Roselló.

Eurosurveillance - Volume 30, Issue 2, 16 January 2025

Surveillance

Human neuroinvasive Toscana virus infections in Italy from 2016 to 2023: Increased incidence in 2022 and 2023
Emmanouil Alexandros Fotakis, Elisa Di Maggio, Martina Del Manso, Alberto Mateo-Urdiales, Daniele Petrone, Massimo Fabiani, Giulia Perego, Antonino Bella, Gioia Bongiorno, Ilaria Bernardini, Marco Di Luca, Giulietta Venturi, Claudia Fortuna, Stefania Giannitelli, Federica Ferraro, Francesco Maraglino, Patrizio Pezzotti, Anna Teresa Palamara, Flavia Riccardo and Italian Arbovirus Surveillance network.

Trends in human parainfluenza virus in Scotland before and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, January 2017 to October 2023
Tonje Sande Laird, Mark Hamilton, Naoma William, Shivani Karanwal, Kimberly Marsh and Josie Evans.

11. WHO news

For the latest news from WHO Europe please visit their website. 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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