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The European Public Health Association Newsletter – April 2026 |
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Newsletter – April 2026
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1. Editorial
Mental health is public health, and it’s time to act
Mental health has long been treated as a specialist concern: a clinical matter, handled in separate corridors, with separate budgets, by separate professionals. European Public Health Week (EUPHW) 2026 challenges that assumption head-on.
This year’s EUPHW theme “Investing for Sustainable Health and Well-being” runs through five interconnected themes during five days. Wednesday 6 May will be dedicated to mental health – but how does mental health connect to all topics during EUPHW?
Monday 4 May: Health in All Policies – housing, unemployment, and climate anxiety shape mental health. When aligning all policies with public health it also means that mental health is being put in the focus.
Tuesday 5 May: Prioritising equity through inclusive health investments – equity in mental health services remains a distant promise for too many.
Thursday 6 May: This day will spotlight mis- and disinformation and political polarisation, issues that greatly impact erosion of the social fabric on which mental health rests.
Friday 7 May: When discussing the health workforce, we cannot look away from the mental health emergency unfolding among the people who care for us. The WHO/Europe MeND report stopped many of us in our tracks. Over 90,000 responses from doctors and nurses across 29 countries. One in three reporting depression or anxiety. One in ten having had thoughts of self-harm. One in three having experienced bullying or violent threats at work. They are a portrait of Europe’s health workforce, and of what we are asking it to absorb while delivering care to the rest of us.
We applauded health workers through our windows during COVID-19. Applause is not enough. What is needed is systemic change: better working conditions, protected rest, mental health support that is destigmatised, accessible, and funded. The MeND findings carry seven clear policy recommendations. Europe’s leaders and health systems need to act on them, now, not after the next crisis.
The public health community has a role to play here too. That is why EUPHA and WHO/Europe are launching a learning platform to strengthen public health workforce capacity for mental health promotion and prevention. More information on the platform will follow soon.
The alliances needed to change the mental health trajectory in Europe will not be built by any one actor. We need public health professionals and mental health specialists to stop working in silos. We need prevention specialists to bring the same rigour they apply to cardiovascular risk to the social and structural determinants of mental health. We need communities, civil society, and the health workforce to be recognised not just as recipients of care, but as actors in it and as people who carry their own needs.
EUPHW is our moment to say this together, from Brussels to your campus, your clinic, your city hall, your community. Join us and stand up for mental health as a public health priority, for all of us, including the people who care for us.
Dr. Tit Albreht, EUPHA President
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2. EUPHA news
Prof. Martin McKee receives 2026 Walter Holland Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations to Prof. Martin McKee, Strategic Advisor and Past President of EUPHA on winning the Walter Holland Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 for shaping and influencing public health and health policy across Europe.
The award honours those who have made outstanding contributions to public health research and demonstrated real-world impact on population health and health policy at global, regional, or local levels, presented biennially by LSE Health.
This is a well-deserved recognition and we would like to extend our sincere thanks for his dedication and tireless efforts in advancing public health in Europe and globally.
Read more here.
EUPHA staff promotion – Julian Hein
We are very happy to announce that Julian Hein has been promoted to Deputy Director for Scientific Affairs and Projects at EUPHA. Thank you for all your hard work so far – we look forward to all the things we will keep achieving together.
New institutional member: National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK)
We would like to welcome The National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK) as a new institutional member.
The NIPHK stands as the leading professional, educational, and scientific authority in public health in Kosovo. Based in Prishtina and with seven regional branches, it reaches and supports communities across the country. For more than a century, NIPHK has safeguarded public health through its expertise in epidemiology, human ecology, microbiology, social medicine, and health statistics. Beyond its scientific role, it serves as a strong voice for health promotion and education, transforming data into knowledge that shapes the future. Now, in its second century, NIPHK continues to evolve, adapting to new realities while remaining grounded in its tradition, experience, and forward-looking vision.
For Kosovo, joining the European Public Health Association is more than membership – it is a meaningful step toward connection, recognition, belonging and a shared purpose. It represents an opportunity to stand alongside a broader professional community, exchanging not only challenges but also our unique perspective, shaped by resilience and progress. NIPHK looks forward to learning, collaborating, and building bridges that strengthen public health beyond borders. Through this partnership, NIPHK aspires to contribute to a healthier future – one defined by professionalism, solidarity, and the value of every voice.
Learn more about the institute here.
70 MEPs Call for Urgent Restoration of EU4Health Operating Grants for Health Civil Society
On 17 April 2026 a cross-party group of 70 MEPs sent out a letter to call on the European Commission to restore operating grants for health civil society organisations under the EU4Health Programme. This push echoes growing political momentum, also reflected by a similar call from 13 Member States, recognising the vital role NGOs and patient organisations play in shaping effective, inclusive EU health policy.
The removal of core funding has already had serious consequences, including reduced capacity, highlighting that project-based funding cannot replace stable structural support. Ahead of the expected publication of the EU4Health 2026 Work Programme, stakeholders are urging the Commission to act, ensure sustainable funding, and strengthen transparency and inclusiveness in EU health priorities.
We would like to thank our members and sections for their advocacy work.
Read the letter here.
Long COVID Patient and Caregiver Survey 2026
EUPHA and the OECD invite you to take part in the Patient and Caregiver Survey 2026 as part of their Policy Dialogue on Long COVID. This work is done within the European Commission’s Open Stakeholder Group on Long COVID (DG SANTE), helping shape future policy and support.
Who can participate?
A more detailed definition of the target audience can be found in the document here.
What to expect:
Why it matters:
Your voice can help shape better policies and care for those affected by Long COVID.
Fill out the survey here.
Join the RIVER-EU Final Conference in Brussels
Making vaccine equity work: Community-led solutions for a healthier and more resilient Europe
On 19 May 2026, the RIVER-EU project (Reducing Inequalities in Vaccine uptake in the European Region – Engaging Underserved communities) will host its final conference in Brussels and online, organised by EuroHealthNet in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
After five years of collaboration across Europe, this event will bring together communities, practitioners, researchers, civil society, and policymakers to reflect on key project results and explore how successful approaches to reducing vaccination inequalities can be sustained beyond the project’s lifetime.
Registration is free but required. Please register for in-person participation or online participation before 10 May.
For more information visit the event page or reach out to EuroHealthNet’s Policy & Practice Officer, Afsaneh Nejat.
Read more about the project and EUPHA’s role here.
Climate Crisis, Peace, and the Rights to Health and to a Healthy Environment
A World Health Assembly Hybrid Side Event
Location: Médecins Sans Frontières, 140, route de Ferney, Geneva
EUPHA in collaboration with a range of partners are organising a World Health Assembly Side Event on Climate Crisis, Peace and the right to health and to a healthy environment. This is part of the Peace, Polycrisis and Public Health initiative and activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the UN International Year of Peace.
This World Health Assembly side event will examine the combined and reinforcing impacts of climate change and armed conflict on population health and health systems. The event will also contribute to ongoing global discussions, including those linked to the WHO Director-General’s report on the Global Health and Peace Initiative, and will reflect on the need for unity, solidarity and stronger multilateral action in response to the climate crisis, human security risks, and barriers to just transition.
For online participation please register here
For in-person attendance and registration please contact: farhang.tahzib@gmail.com
EUPHA Health and Care Workforce Section mid-term conference
On 22 to 24 April, EUPHA’s Health and Care Workforce Section mid-term conference took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, under the theme “Advancing resilience, sustainability and equity in health and care workforce systems”.
The conference was hosted by the Department of Public Health and Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, within Babeș-Bolyai University, in collaboration with The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
This conference in which the EUPHA Office was represented by Charlotte Marchandise and Monica Brinzac, did not only offer rich sessions and outstanding scientific presentations. It was also a great opportunity to discover the depth of Romanian public health through meetings with Rector Prof. Daniel David of Université Babeș-Bolyai , Dean Calin Hintea, and Vice-President of the County Council Ratiu Radu Florin.
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3. European Public Health Week
4-8 May 2026 | Investing for Sustainable Health and Well-being
Video message from WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge
“Reframing health as a driver of economics of well-being means putting people at the centre, decreasing inequality, involving all people and all sectors.”
To mark this year’s European Public Health Week (EUPHW) WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge shared a personal message, calling for action and extending his best wishes for successful events. In his video, he highlights WHO Europe’s pride in supporting EUPHW, particularly through two mental health events organised by WHO Europe, and emphasises the week as a valuable opportunity to turn words into action.
He also recognised the EUPHA leadership for their tireless work, and emphasised that the partnership between EUPHA and WHO Europe extends beyond EUPHW.
Watch the video here.
Schedule and events
European Public Health Week 2026 takes place between 4 and 8 May. Take a look at the calendar and join events throughout the week.
Explore and register for the kick-off and flagship events, where policymakers, researchers, and public health professionals come together to address Europe’s most pressing health challenges. Each day focuses on a key theme, offering high-level discussions, practical insights, and opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
Reminder: you can still submit your events for EUPHW 2026!
We invite National Public Health Associations, universities, local authorities, NGOs, and civil society organisations to organise activities and join the campaign.
Register your event here.
EUPHA at EUPHW
Don’t miss out on EUPHA events during the week! See the list below to find out more and register for the events.
Kick-off webinar “From evidence to action: the co-benefits of health”
Kick-off webinar “Trust is a verb: rebuilding confidence in health systems in the age of misinformation”
EUPHA Law and Public Health Section webinar “Forever Chemicals, Lasting Harm: PFAS, Public Health, and the Fight for Justice“
EUPHA Infectious Diseases Control Section webinar “Generals Always Prepare to Fight the Previous War – Is Europe Ready for the Next Pandemic?“
EUPHA Public Health Policy & Politics Section webinar “Democratic Health Governance Amidst Geopolitical Uncertainty“
EUPHA Public Health Genomics Section webinar “Why do we talk about public health genomics? Moving genomics from the patient to the system, and from care to prevention“
EUPHA Ethics in Public Health Section webinar “Peace, polycrisis and public health – Role, mission and mandate of health professionals“
Share your event during EUPHW
Use the promotional toolkit to promote and share EUPHW and its events with your network, stakeholders, staff, colleagues and anyone interested in public health. Tag EUPHA, use the hashtag #EUPHW and share the materials designed to help you effectively promote your public health messages and spread the word about events.
You can find the promotional toolkit here.
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4. European Public Health Conference
Final reminder: call for abstracts closes 1 May
Abstract submissions are still open for the 19th EPH Conference 2026 in Bilbao, Spain.
The deadline for submission is 1 May 2026 at 18:00 CEST. Late submissions cannot be accepted, so authors are strongly encouraged to prepare their abstracts well in advance of the deadline.
Submit your abstract here.
Conference registration is now open
Registration for the 19th European Public Health Conference, taking place 10-13 November 2026 in Bilbao has opened on 1 April. This year’s theme, “Urban and global synergies: shaping the future of public health with climate resilience, equity and innovation” will explore and debate the current research and policy challenges of population health.
Take advantage of early bird rates by registering before 10 July 2026. As in previous years, registration may close earlier than expected due to venue capacity, so we strongly encourage you to secure your place in time to avoid disappointment.
More information is available here.
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5. Upcoming courses and conferences
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6. Interesting publications
New report analysing High‑Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) food marketing targeted at children
Safe Food Advocacy Europe’s (SAFE) new report, in partnership with Healthy Food Healthy Planet, provides compelling evidence that voluntary industry commitments are not enough to protect children from harmful HFSS food marketing and makes a strong case for binding EU regulation to ensure real corporate accountability.
As part of the Healthy Food Healthy Planet initiative, EUPHA is contributing by strengthening the scientific evidence on which policy approaches most effectively shape healthier and more sustainable food environments.
Through a targeted literature review on regulatory measures holding food companies accountable for the health and sustainability of the foods they produce, market and sell, EUPHA will support the development of evidence-informed recommendations together with civil society partners to advance stronger EU action on corporate practices in food systems.
Read the report here: Why voluntary measures are not enough: Regulating HFSS marketing to children
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