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The European Public Health Association Newsletter – March 2024 |
1. Editorial
In 2024, EUPHA is committed to leading the way in addressing complex health challenges through innovative collaborations. With innovation as the central theme of the 17th EPH Conference in Lisbon, it underpins our actions throughout the year. Our participation in the WHO Europe Innovation Ecosystem meeting underscored our commitment to transformative health solutions. The inclusion of AVANS – Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health into our network broadens our research scope, highlighting the importance of broad health perspectives and technological advancements.
Innovation will also be a key topic during the European Public Health Week, with its main theme emphasizing health as a political choice and calling on stakeholders to prioritize health in policy discussions.
Together, we are dedicated to fostering a healthier Europe through innovative and collaborative efforts to make better political choices.
Warmest regards,
Dr Iveta Nagyova, EUPHA President, and Charlotte Marchandise, Executive Director
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2. EUPHA update
Creating a regional collaborative front for harnessing health innovations: WHO/Europe Innovation Ecosystem for Public Health meeting
President Iveta Nagyova represented EUPHA at this meeting. The WHO European Region is facing complex health challenges that require innovative and transformative approaches to meet the needs of the population. This need for thinking out of the box, and championing opportunities for innovation and technological advancements, is the backdrop of the WHO/Europe Innovation Ecosystem for Public Health meeting to be held in Copenhagen on 11–12 March. The event serves as a platform for stakeholders to collectively address pressing public health challenges through innovative approaches and emerging technologies. It presents a unique opportunity to inspire the innovation ecosystem community, including innovation centres and hubs, to collaborate with WHO and tackle the complex challenges facing the Region.
New institutional member AVANS – Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health
EUPHA warmly welcomes our latest institutional member, AVANS – Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health, to our network.
Meet the section: Public health monitoring and reporting
For the second instalment of our new Meet-the-Section newsletter feature, we asked our Public Health Monitoring and Reporting Section colleagues, Hanna, Heidi and Nienke to present the work of their Section:
Public health monitoring and reporting refers to the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of data related to population health indicators, risk factors, and health outcomes. The collected data is then used to assess the effectiveness of public health interventions, identify emerging health threats, and guide evidence-informed decision-making by policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. Reporting is essential to inform the public, policymakers, and other relevant parties to improve public health outcomes.
Webinar: Surveillance bias of Cancer
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3. European Public Health Week
With important elections worldwide this year, including the 2024 European Parliament election and numerous presidential and parliamentary elections across Europe, the imperative to prioritise health on the political agenda has never been clearer.
What can you expect from the 2024 European Public Health Week (EUPHW)? Our overarching theme – “Health is a political choice!” – sets the stage for dynamic discussions that explore the intersection of politics and health, paving the way for sustainable change.
Commencing with our opening event on Monday, May 13th, at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies in Brussels (with live online streaming), we start the discussion on how we can effectively integrate health considerations into political discourse. Each subsequent day will feature a distinct daily theme, ending in the final closing event in Brussels (streamed online) on Friday, May 17th.
Here’s a glimpse of the daily themes:
How can you get involved? The possibilities are endless. Whether you choose to host an event, amplify our message, or participate actively, your contribution matters. There’s a platform for every voice, from webinars and social media campaigns to workshops and exhibitions.
With the submission system now open, we are particularly encouraging submissions from our EUPHA members. If you need help figuring out where to start, reach out to [email protected] for guidance and support.
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4. European Public Health Conference
17th EPH CONFERENCE, LISBON, PORTUGAL
REGISTRATION OPENS NEXT WEEK WITH BENEFITS FOR EUPHA MEMBERS
Registration for the 17th EPH Conference opens next week. We are proud that we have been able to keep registration fees at the same level as last year, despite inflation and price increases across Europe. You can benefit from early bird registration fees until 1 September. EUPHA members and delegates from Portugal pay € 690 before 1 September, non-members € 790. Students, trainees and colleagues from low- and middle-income countries pay € 400. All fees mentioned including VAT. More information here.
Abstract submission is open
Abstract submission for the 17th EPH Conference 2024 is open from 1 February until 1 May 2024, 18:00 CET. Abstracts are invited for workshops, oral presentations, pitch presentations and ePosters. All sessions will be 60 minutes. Do not miss the opportunity to be recognized for your hard work. Learn from each other and share your knowledge with others. More information here.
Abstract tutoring programme
EPH Conference and EUPHAnxt offer an Abstract Tutoring Programme providing an opportunity for young and/or less experienced abstract submitters to receive feedback from experienced reviewers. The programme is targeted at researchers who have limited access to colleagues to ask for guidance and comments on their proposed abstracts. More information here.
Theme and programme
The 17th EPH Conference will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 – 15 November 2024. Pre-conferences will be held on Tuesday 12 November. The main conference is from 13 – 15 November. Theme of the EPH conference 2024 is: Sailing the waves of European public health: exploring a sea of innovation. The conference will be held at the Lisbon Congress Center (CCL). Read more here.
Conferência de Saúde Pública da Lusofonia
On Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 November we organise the Conferência de Saúde Pública da Lusofonia, a pre-conference with a focus on current health issues in the Portuguese speaking countries in the world. The language of instruction is Portuguese, translation into English will be provided. Registration is open as of next week. The detailed programme will be announced shortly.
Win a waiver for the next EPH Conference
Submit an abstract for Lisbon 2024 and win a waiver for next year’s EPH Conference. Each year the EPH Conference offers a prize for the best single abstract. The prize is determined by the scoring of the EPH Conference International Scientific Committee. The winner will be awarded a certificate and waiver of registration fees for the EPH Conference 2025 in Helsinki.
Take part in the ‘Ferenc Bojan Young Investigators Award’ Competition
The best five abstracts, submitted by young researchers (under 35y), will be presented in the Ferenc Bojan Young Investigators Award session. The Ferenc Bojan session is an oral session, but with a jury consisting of experienced researchers to select the best abstract/ presentation combination. The winner will be awarded a certificate and waiver of registration fees for the EPH Conference 2025 in Helsinki. Read more.
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5. European Journal of Public Health
Advance articles
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6. Call for proposals, job opportunities
PhD Position on Implementation of Health System Performance Assessment at the University of Amsterdam
Ready to dive into impactful research as a PhD candidate within the international Health Systems and Services Research Group? Your research will drive informed decision-making in Ireland and the Netherlands, ensuring healthcare systems meet people’s needs and deliver high-value outcomes.
Learning Manager position with the HQ/ACD WHO Academy in Lyon
The World Health Organization’s Academy (‘The Academy’) is a new state-of-the-art learning institution that aims to revolutionize lifelong learning for health impact and reach million learners around the world. Based in Lyon, France, the Academy Campus will offer a wide range of learning modalities (on-line, face-to-face and blended); digital, in-person learning via the hub in Lyon or through the campus network, as well as portable learning laboratories designed for contexts where participants cannot travel or access the digital learning platform. The Academy is an integral part of the WHO under the management authority of the Director-General. The overall goal of the Academy is to advance the learning and human development component of WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW) and health sustainable development goals. More specifically the Academy will: enhance the competencies of millions of people through cutting-edge digital learning and hybrid learning, including leaders, practitioners, catalysts and lay people. The WHO Academy will deliver advanced digital and in-person learning to health policy practitioners, health workers and WHO workforce. The Academy campus will be officially launched in autumn 2024 as a global initiative combining the latest technologies in digital and remote learning with advancements in adult learning science to offer innovative, personalized and multilingual learning that meets priority needs.
Communications and Dissemination Officer at the European Observatory on Health Systems & Policies in Brussels
Overall, the aim of the position is to reach policymakers and support technical colleagues in making evidence accessible. The postholder will unpack and communicate key messages; raise the profile and visibility of the Observatory; and foster communication and knowledge brokering networks. The post will also expand web and social media presence and use of new media to increase impact. The incumbent will contribute to the development of a more integrated media and dissemination strategy for Observatory outputs and activities and advise on social media and new tools to increase reach to its diverse target groups.
A number of HaDEA positions are currently open
Click here to read more.
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is looking for a new Finance and Operations Officer to join their Brussels-based team
Help us create a better, healthier world
EU4Health call for tenders to speed-up the development, availability and access to anti-tuberculosis medicines for children
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to health, which was associated with 5 million deaths globally in 2019 and against which efficient medical countermeasures, including antimicrobials, are lacking. Therefore, promoting access to medicines that could assist in the fight against antimicrobial resistance is essential.
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7. Interesting news
QUANTUM project kicks off to develop and implement the health data quality label for the secondary use of health data in the EU
On 20 and 21 February, the consortium for QUANTUM: “Developing a Data Quality and Utility Label” met in Brussels for the kick-off meeting to officially launch the Horizon Europe-funded project. All the partners discussed the various activities and highlighted the way forward for this ambitious and strategic project to unlock the full potential of new tools, technologies and
Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standard, research finds
Almost all countries failing to meet mark for PM2.5, tiny particles expelled by vehicles and industry that can cause health problems.
“Ambassadors of mental health” established in the Croatian Parliament
Zagreb – In the Croatian Parliament, at the instigation of the Croatian Federation of Associations for Mental Health (SUMEZ) in cooperation with the member of parliament and specialist in psychiatry Ivan Čelić, the cross-party initiative “Ambassadors of mental health” was officially funded.
Ukraine’s health system is a symbol of resilience
“I marvel at the resilience of Ukraine’s health system, battered by war and yet still standing.” – Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Why do people in Nordic countries consistently rank as the happiest and what can we learn from them?
Happiness and general well-being are not about money, but they do have something to do with a wallet.
UNAIDS welcomes the adoption of a crucial resolution recognizing harm reduction measures at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
VIENNA/GENEVA, 22 March 2024— UNAIDS welcomes the adoption of a key resolution today at the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), recognizing harm reduction for the first time as an important part of an effective public health response. The resolution encourages member states to develop and implement harm reduction measures to minimize the adverse public health and social consequences of the non-medical use of illicit drugs. UNAIDS congratulates the CND and the CND Chair for this historic milestone.
‘The situation has become appalling’: fake scientific papers push research credibility to crisis point
Last year, 10,000 sham papers had to be retracted by academic journals, but experts think this is just the tip of the iceberg.
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8. Upcoming courses and conferences
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9. Interesting publications
The European Journal of Public Health’s supplement on “How to Navigate Political Landscapes: Towards a Public Health Political Science”
A supplement from 2018 but currently very relevant.
Health CASCADE’s “Solution Canvas: Embracing Failure for Innovation” is now available online for public use in English and Danish
This canvas was collaboratively crafted by three authors to facilitate discussions aimed at fostering constructive learning from failures. Originally conceptualized in 2023, it underwent successful piloting at the 22nd Annual Meeting of The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) in June 2023 during a ‘Church of Fail’ Dare2Share session. In response to high demand from participants, it is now being publicly shared. Two versions are available: a coloured digital version and a print-ready version optimized for A2 format. It is available in both English and Danish (with thanks to Mathilde Grøn Laursen from Aarhus University for her support in translating it to Danish).
Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health: Guidance on large multi-modal models
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the capability of algorithms integrated into systems and tools to learn from data so that they can perform automated tasks without explicit programming of every step by a human. Generative AI is a category of AI techniques in which algorithms are trained on data sets that can be used to generate new content, such as text, images or video. This guidance addresses one type of generative AI, large multi-modal models (LMMs), which can accept one or more type of data input and generate diverse outputs that are not limited to the type of data fed into the algorithm. It has been predicted that LMMs will have wide use and application in health care, scientific research, public health and drug development. LMMs are also known as “general-purpose foundation models”, although it is not yet proven whether LMMs can accomplish a wide range of tasks and purposes.
Re-building the network: mental health system reform in Croatia
Community-based mental health care is acknowledged as a better alternative to institutionalized care. It improves access to health care services, reduces stigma, better protects human rights, and improves patients’ outcomes (1). The London Declaration highlights the importance of empowering people with mental disorders, advocating that all interventions should be client-oriented, and the focus of care should be on the person’s recovery
Childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: socioeconomic inequalities in symptoms, impact, diagnosis and medication
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are at greater risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related symptoms, being diagnosed with ADHD, and being prescribed ADHD medications. We aimed to examine how inequalities manifest across the ‘patient journey’, from perceptions of impacts of ADHD symptoms on daily life, to the propensity to seek and receive a diagnosis and treatment.
White paper on how to solve Europe’s health workforce crisis
When you are ill or injured, you want to receive the medical care you need. This requires that you have access to skilled health workers who are enabled to do their job well. Unfortunately, this is not a given everywhere in the European Union. That is why, in a new white paper, the Pillars of Health coalition – with Wemos as lead organization – call on all EU Member States to move away from international competition for health workers, and instead take united action to enable health workers across Europe to deliver high-quality healthcare to EU citizens.
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10. European Institutions’ news
Advancing data and digital solutions for better health in Moldova
WHO, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America (Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office), are working together to enhance data and digital health in the Republic of Moldova. A technical mission took place in February 2024 in Chisinau to strengthen the partnership and advance key collaborative directions, such as data modernization, with the Ministry of Health and National Agency for Public Health.
Commission welcomes political agreement on European Health Data Space
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) – one of the central building blocks of a strong European Health Union. The rules proposed by the Commission in May 2022 have two main aims:
Click here to read more.
Korea will join the growing group of countries associated to Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme.
Korea will join the growing group of countries associated to Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme.
Commission sets out actions to tackle labour and skills shortages
The Commission has presented an action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages and proposes to work together with Member States and social partners to address these issues over the coming months and years.
The action plan is part of the EU’s strategy to boost its competitiveness and enhance its economic and social resilience.
Circulatory diseases, cancer: 54% of all EU deaths in 2021
In 2021 there were 5.3 million deaths in the EU
Deaths related to circulatory diseases amounted to 1.71 million in 2021 (32% of all deaths). Cancer was the second most common cause, with 1.14 million causes of death (22%). COVID-19 was third with 0.57 million (11%). Together these 3 diseases made up 65% of the causes of all deaths in 2021.
Webinar on Tuesday 16 April 2024, 09:30 – 12:30 (CEST)
The Commission has today adopted the designation of the first six European reference laboratories (EURLs) for public health with the aim of further strengthening the EU’s defences in the face of serious cross-border threats. The EURLs will bring together scientific expertise across the European Union, to improve preparedness, rapid detection and response.
Click here to read more.
Publications from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Click on below links to read the recent publications.
Public debate on the EU Health Priorities
At the request of the European Commission, the Observatory is running a public debate on the future health priorities of the European Union. Our series of webinars has wrapped up, and a survey has been launched to hear from stakeholders on what the focus of the European Union should be when it comes to health policy priorities. The survey is open until 29 March.
Past events & recordings by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
Transforming Primary Health Care: from Spain to Europe, held on 11 March 2024 by the Observatory, Ministry of Health of Spain and WHO/Europe
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11. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control news
Eurosurveillance – Volume 29, Issue 12, 21 March 2024
Rapid communication
Research
Review
Eurosurveillance – Volume 29, Issue 11, 14 March 2024
Rapid communication
Research
Eurosurveillance – Volume 29, Issue 10, 07 March 2024
Rapid communication
Outbreaks
Research
Systematic Review
Perspective
Eurosurveillance – Volume 29, Issue 9, 29 February 2024
Rapid communication
Surveillance
Systematic Review
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12. WHO news
ASPHER and WHO sign a 5-year MoU
Click here to read more.
“Follow your dreams and trust yourself” – a conversation about careers for female public health leaders in Latvia
“We should start from the very beginning, with health literacy taught in schools, focusing also on equity and not measuring people by size, gender or anything else,” says Dr Liga Kuksa, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Management of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis, Riga, Latvia, talking about women making a career in public health in Latvia.
Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme launches in Kyrgyzstan
An initiative to safeguard the health of Kyrgyzstan’s citizens amid growing global health challenges is underway in the country. The Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness Programme involves the Government of Kyrgyzstan, WHO, the United States Agency for International Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and other organizations, and targets key areas of health identified by Kyrgyzstan. These include tracking and reducing antimicrobial resistance, monitoring zoonotic diseases, strengthening national laboratory systems and disease surveillance, building capacity within the health-care workforce, developing risk communication and community engagement strategies, and bolstering health emergency management.
Digital tools can help improve women’s health and promote gender equality, WHO report shows
A new WHO/Europe report shows that digital health technologies can improve women’s health and promote equity. The benefits are primarily associated with improving access to health-care services, enhancing maternal health, providing essential health information, and empowering women to have more autonomy.
Statement – Ahead of us lies a future free of TB
Statement by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe
This first version of the Telehealth quality of care tool (TQoCT) published
This first version of the Telehealth quality of care tool (TQoCT) is intended to be used by Member States (namely by focal points for patient safety and quality of care (QoC) and all other relevant parties of national telehealth ecosystems) or by individual health-care provider organizations. As more health and care moves to digital-based service provision, including the use of digital tools for supporting health interventions and care services provided at a distance, the quality of the care that is provided becomes more relevant. The quality of telehealth ultimately matters for increasing the adoption of this new paradigm of care because significant patient safety or QoC issues will ultimately undermine the trust populations and professionals have on this still somehow new way of practicing medicine and supporting the provision of modern and integrated care. Approaches to such quality standards benefit from common reference materials, and the TQoCT aims to aggregate these in a manner that stimulates reflection and action, helping countries and health-care organizations on their journey to mature, safe and high-quality telehealth service provision.
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