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The European Public Health Association Newsletter – October 2020 |
1. Editorial
What a busy month this was. We co-organised the very successful World Congress of Public Health with 3750 delegates participating online; we saw many EUPHA sections change presidency, two new EUPHA sections being established and many, many EUPHA workshops being organised. The WCPH2020 Statement has been signed by numerous organisations and individuals and is still gaining momentum. At the same time, European countries were hit by a second wave of COVID-19 and restrictions are back in place. And even though we all work together to fight COVID-19, find a vaccine, find better treatments, the world as we know it, remains in turmoil. We hope this newsletter provides you with updates, that will help you in your work as public health professional. Together, we remain strong!
Iveta Nagyova, EUPHA president, and Dineke Zeegers Paget, EUPHA executive director
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2. EUPHA update
EUPHA Section President elections
There were seven EUPHA Section President elections this year! We would like to thank the outgoing presidents for their commitment to public health and EUPHA and offer a warm welcome the new Section Presidents, some of whom are not new to the section!
Child and adolescent public health Two new EUPHA Sections
At the EUPHA Governing Board meeting, two new EUPHA sections were established. EUPHA-FOR, EUPHA Foresight section, and EUPHA-LAW, EUPHA Public health and law section. Both sections have already taken up activities by organising workshops and webinars.
What does a good COVID-19 vaccine programme look like?
Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, a consensus is building that without safe and effective vaccines, the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overcome. At the same time, there is much discussion about vaccines, effectiveness, availability and such. In order to provide some clarity, EUPHA and the EUPHA Infectious diseases control section (EUPHA-IDC) set up this statement on prerequisites for a good COVID-19 vaccine programme.
EUPHA endorses the John Snow Memorandum on how best to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
The John Snow Memorandum is the work of a group of international researchers with expertise spanning public health, epidemiology, medicine, paediatrics, sociology, virology, infectious disease, health systems, psychology, psychiatry, health policy, and mathematical modelling. We felt moved to deliver a clear and simple message about how best to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
[VIDEO] This is European public health
‘This is European public health’ showcases collaboration by various bodies across Europe. Public health concerns all of us and we need to work together to make it successful. Watch it on our YouTube channel! Call for a mandatory EU-wide Front of Pack nutrition labelling system with a public health mindset
In an open letter to the Ministers responsible for Agriculture, members of the AGRIFISH Council five representives of health organisations, including EUPHA, and two MEPs call for a mandatory EU-wide Front of Pack nutrition labelling system with a public health mindset.
A call to action in include health workforce in the HORIZON Europe Program 2020-2022 Health
Statement on behalf of the EUPHA Health workforce section: Europe needs a stronger health workforce research.
EUPHA’s presence at the World Congress
Thanks to you, our #EUPHAatWCPH2020 social media campaign was a success! 1,607 tweets, 757 retweets from 328 contributors led to a potential reach of 664,100 and 4 million potential impressions on Twitter alone.
Interview on the EU competencies in the field of health
Marieke Verschuuren, EUPHA Executive Board Representative, gave an interview to a Catalan journal on the EU competencies in the field of health. In short, she calls for preparing health systems for the next phases of the pandemic, as we do not know how long it will last.
https://www.elpuntavui.cat/politica/arti…
Launch of The Global Society on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health
EUPHA-MEM Section President and Chair of the Global Society MERH express that the launch of the Global Society at the WCPH 2020 was a historic milestone that embodies commitment to taking the agenda forward. This would not have possible without the support and contributions of the working committee, the partners and in particular EUPHA. The presentations of the preconference at the World Congress on Public Health are available on the Global Society’s website.
EUPHA Section on Environment and Health (EUPHA ENV) – Statement
EUPHA Environment and health section (EUPHA-ENV) published a statement aiming to present strategies and exchange knowledge regarding action to health risk reduction from a polluted environment.
EUPHA Fellowship Programme
This year, the 16th World Congress on Public Heath was covered by 12 EUPHA fellows. Based on their expertise, the fellows were assigned to one of the six tracks of the Congress, with the responsibility to cover all the events related to their track. |
3. European Public Health Conference
16th World Congress on Public Health – WCPH2020
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4. EUPHA members update
Interview of Christos Lionis and Elena Petelos (University of Crete – UoC) by Tania Mantouvalou of DailyFarmaNews in Greece
Elena Petelos, member of EUPHA Governing Board, alongside with Christos Lionis from the University of Crete, gave an interview for DailyPharmaNews.
Webinar: Support4Global Health and SDGs in health workforce education, 9 November 2020, 5 p.m. (CET)
This webinar is organised by our partner ASPHER, together with EUPHA Health workforce research section and EUPHAnxt. |
5. European Journal of Public Health
Volume 30, Issue 5, October 2020
EDITORIAL COMMENTARY VIEWPOINTS HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH SOCIAL DETERMINANTS ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH INFECTIOUS DISEASE VACCINATION SMOKING OBESITY CANCER EUROPEAN PUBLIC HEALTH NEWS CORRIGENDUM |
6. Call for proposals, job opportunities
Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Clinical Forensic Medicine
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) is recruiting highly qualified Post-Docs/Research Scientists
The positions are for the Lab of Digital and Computational Demography.
[SURVEY] The IHLA working group on health literacy needs your input
The [email protected] & [email protected]) if you have questions about the study.
Survey invitation for contribution – European Commission study on mapping data flows
You are invited to fill in a survey for a study on mapping data flows for the European Commission (Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology).
Public Health Workforce in Times of Global Transformations: Past, Present, and Future Developments – Call for papers
Manuscripts submitted to this call are considered for publication in a Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF: 2,84). https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/workforce_global_transformations |
7. Interesting news
Health Technology Assessment Network
Two years ago, on 4 Oct 2018, the European Parliament adopted its Report on the the Proposal for a Regulation on HTA of the European Commission (EC). Stakeholder Experts in the EC’s HTA Network Stakeholder Pool had provided observations and comments for the proposal, including bilateral and multilateral meetings with the Commissioner, in consultations, and in meetings convened with the HTA Network. COVID-19 has rendered the need for coordinated collaboration and a harmonized approach stark; we have found ways to ensure Joint Procurement by the EC, but we are still to see progress on agreement on how to move forward with Joint Assessment.
Time to move: EU-OSHA launches campaign to address Europe’s most common work-related health problem
Backache? Neck pain caused by work? You are not alone. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has launched its 2020-2022 campaign — Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load — which focuses on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The launch marks the start of a programme of events and actions aimed at raising awareness of this issue — which affects millions of workers across Europe — and how to tackle it.
News from EU4Monitoring Drugs, an EMCDDA technical cooperation project
On 28 September 2020, the EMCCDA released the first publication in the framework of the EU4Monitoring Drugs project, which presents the key results of an EMCDDA trendspotter study. This study was prepared in consultation with some 30 experts from all six eastern European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) countries.
European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention brochure
Since 1997, the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention strove for a better and healthier world, by reducing health inequalities due to tobacco. During 23 years, ENSP actively developed a strategy for action among organisations active in tobacco control in Europe by sharing information and experience and through co-ordinated activities and joint projects. This brochure aims at highlighting the progress that has been done until today and encourages all health advocates to join The Network and contribute to even greater progress in the future.
EU4Health programme: Council agrees its negotiating position
EU member states’ ambassadors today (21 October 2020) agreed unanimously on the mandate to start negotiations with the European Parliament on the EU4Health programme (2021-2027).
Protecting the profits of a few could prevent vaccine access for all
Right now, we are on a runaway train barreling toward a future when the majority of the globe is forced to wait for vaccines as the rich serve themselves first. It’s time to pull the emergency brake.
EU chemicals strategy: speedy implementation steps key to truly protect people’s health
Environmental health advocates have welcomed today’s release of the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability as a major step forward in the delivery of Europe’s Zero Pollution Objective. They however insisted that the ability of the strategy to truly minimise people’s exposure to harmful substances and prevent diseases will highly depend on the practical implementation of the proposed initiatives and the commitment to put innovation at the service of protection, rather than the contrary.
Study reveals world’s most walkable cities
Walking improves health and cuts pollution but most cities still dominated by cars, says report.
Results of Joint Action Chrodis (2014-2017)
The Joint Action CHRODIS-PLUS has been helping countries address the growing burden of chronic diseases since 2017. To test tools and good practices in addressing chronic diseases, it has implemented 21 pilot projects. To promote long-term sustainability and integration of good practices into policy, 16 policy dialogues have been organised. The Joint Action CHRODIS-PLUS brings together 50 partners, including EuroHealthNet, from 21 European countries. It is co-funded by the European Commission health programme.
How can we support physical distancing in the office?
For many employees, even simple rules like “stay 1.5m apart” are proving hard to consistently follow in practice. Fortunately, behavioural science gives us clues as to how we can design the work environment and practices to encourage physical distancing and help keep us safe in the months ahead.
Poland rules abortion due to foetal defects unconstitutional
Poland’s constitutional tribunal has ruled that abortion due to foetal defects is unconstitutional, rejecting the most common of the few legal grounds for pregnancy termination in the predominantly Catholic country.
Study: Air pollution costs Europeans €1,276 per year
A new report for the European Public Health Alliance revealed on Wednesday that air pollution costs the average European city resident €1,276 per year. While Bucharest tops the rank for highest costs (€3,004 per year), Italian cities dominate the top 10 due to both pollution and higher general costs. However, those living in Spain’s largely-unpolluted Santa Cruz de Tenerife face the lowest cost (€382 per year) in the bloc.
Preliminary Assessment Report for Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU and Tobacco Advertising Directive (2003/33/EC)
ENSP plays a key “watch‐dog” role in Europe to prevent the tobacco industry from biasing and slowing down the tobacco control processes nationally and at EU level. The present report outlines the results of the monitoring of TPD and TAD implementation in EU countries as well as an assessment of the level and kind of need expressed in various member countries along with specific topics of future interest.
EU ‘not prepared for next pandemic’, say MEPs
The EU is not equipped to deal with any future pandemics, according to some Members of the European Parliament.
A science-based platform to encourage diets that are good for people and planet
A comprehensive scientific assessment of how dietary shifts in 147 countries can bend the curve on the negative impacts of the food system, moving from exploiting to restoring nature. This plateform, created by the WWF, provides us with insights and tools to eat better, for the environment and our health.
HRSA Releases 2019-2020 Report on Health Equity: Special Feature on Housing and Health Inequalities
The Health Resources and Services Administration, through the agency’s Office of Health Equity, today released the HRSA 2019-2020 Health Equity Report: Special Feature on Housing and Health Inequalities. The report indicates substantial progress has been made nationally for all Americans in vital indicators including life expectancy, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and influenza and pneumonia; while health inequities between population groups and geographic areas persist. |
8. Upcoming courses and conferences
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9. Interesting publications
Association between FDA and EMA expedited approval programs and therapeutic value of new medicines: retrospective cohort study
The BMJ | Original Research | 7 october 2020 https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m343…
The carnage of substandard research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for quality
Journal of Medical Ethics | 1 October 2020 https://jme.bmj.com/content/early/2020/0…
Triage and justice in an unjust pandemic: ethical allocation of scarce medical resources in the setting of racial and socioeconomic disparities
Journal of Medical Ehtics | Brief Report | 16 October 2020 https://jme.bmj.com/content/early/2020/1…
Symptoms of a broken system: the gender gaps in COVID-19 decision-making
The BMJ Global Health | Commentary | 01 October 2020 https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/10/e003549
Global health: time for radical change?
The Lancet | Editorial | 17 October 2020 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lance…
Private health insurance: history, politics and performance (2020)
A collection of comparative case studies analysing the history, politics and performance of private health insurance globally and its implications for universal health coverage. This is essential reading for graduate students, scholars and policy-makers working on health systems financing worldwide. https://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/par…
How much is air pollution costing our health
This new report Health costs of air pollution in European cities and the linkage with transport by CE Delft, commissioned by a consortium of public interest NGOs in ten European countries ( Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Italy) led by the European Public Health Alliance is the largest of its kind and follows up on the 2018 study on Health Impacts and Health Impacts of Diesel Emissions in the EU, in nine European countries. It uses a comprehensive common methodology to uniquely examine the health costs of air pollution for 432 cities across all EU countries, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Nutrition is key to global pandemic resilience
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health | Editorial | 14 October 2020
Healthful food of good quality is our first line of defence against diseases, including immune defences against pathogenic organisms. In the current worldwide concern of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, resulting in the COVID-19 disease, a strurdy immune system is considered central. This inevitably puts focus on the saga of the harmonious concert between nutrition and the immune system, unfolding over the last century. https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/…
Strong association between adolescent obesity and consumption of macrolides in Europe and the USA: An ecological study
Journal of Infection and Public Health | Original Article | October 2020 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar…
Democratic Health Communications during Covid-19: A RAPID Response
Authors: Heidi Tworek, Ian Beacock, and Eseohe Ojo Read the report
Offline: Science and politics in the era of COVID-19
The Lancet | Offline | 14 October 2020 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lance…
A pledge for planetary health to unite health professionals in the Anthropocene
The Lancet | Online First | October 2020 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lance…
Making pharmaceutical research and regulation work for women
The BMJ | Analysis | 27 October 2020 https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m380…
Equity in Health Policy Assessment: Region of the America
This study assessed 32 national health plans to report on whether and how countries in the Region are integrating the achievement of health equity into strategic lines of action in the health sector. It provides a snapshot of approaches and advances, allowing for knowledge sharing among countries on options for attention to equity in health policy. https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/handle/1…
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10. European Commission news
European Commission Statement on the coordination of measures restricting free movement in the European Union related to the coronavirus pandemic
Following the proposal of the Commission on 4 September 2020, today [13 October] EU ministers have reached an agreement that will provide more clarity and predictability on measures that restrict free movement due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Commission welcomes the adoption by the Council and issued a statement.
Coronavirus: Commission Statement on consulting Member States on proposal to prolong and adjust State aid Temporary Framework
Today [2 October 2020], the European Commission has sent to Member States for consultation a draft proposal to prolong until 30 June 2021 the State aid Temporary Framework, adopted on 19 March 2020 to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak, and adjust its scope.
A healthy frame of mind: European Commission action on mental health
John F. Ryan, Director of the European Commission Directorate for Public Health, talks about the Commission’s work in the field of mental health, including a new Joint Action in Mental Health and a new stakeholders’ group on the EU Health Policy Platform that specifically addresses mental health issues in light of COVID-19.
Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases
Joint Meeting Shadow Health Configuration of the Horizon Europe Programme Committee and Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases.
Commission staff fitness check on endocrine disruptors
2021 Commission work programme – from strategy to delivery
Today [19 October 2020], the Commission adopted its 2021 work programme, designed to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while accelerating its long-term transformation into a greener economy, fit for the digital age. It contains new legislative initiatives across all six headline ambitions of President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines and follows her first State of the Union Speech. While delivering on the priorities set out in this work programme, the Commission will continue to put all its efforts into managing the crisis, and into making Europe’s economies and societies more resilient.
President von der Leyen at the World Health Summit
On Sunday, 25 October, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, gave a speech at the online World Health Summit 2020. In her speech, President von der Leyen emphasised the importance of global cooperation in health matters.
Independent Scientific experts: Call for expressions of interest for the EMA PRAC Committee
The Commission is launching a selection procedure to appoint the Independent Scientific Experts to the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Our best shot against COVID-19: effective vaccination strategies and targeted vaccine deployment
John F. Ryan, European Commssion Director of Public Health, talks about a milestone in the fight against COVID-19. On 15 October, the Commission presented its Communication on preparedness for COVID-19 vaccination strategies and vaccination deployement to the European Parliament and the Council, outling the key steps guiding countries’ vaccination strategies and identifying actions to ensure vaccines are deployed effectively in the EU. |
11. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control news
Unlocking the potential of data in light of early lessons from COVID-19: ECDC session at European Health Forum Gastein 2020
Within the overall theme of European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2020, “Dancing with elephants: New partnerships for health, democracy, business”, ECDC is hosting a workshop that will explore innovative digital solutions for comparable data, strong health systems and good decision-making.
Eurosurveillance – Volume 25, Issue 40, 08 October 2020
Rapid communication
Eurosurveillance – Volume 25, Issue 39, 01 October 2020
Rapid communication
Eurosurveillance – Volume 25, Issue 41, 15 October 2020
Rapid communication
Eurosurveillance – Volume 25, Issue 42, 22 October 2020
Editorial |
12. WHO news
COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey
World Mental Health Day on 10 October to highlight urgent need to increase investment in chronically underfunded sector.
Influenza in the time of COVID-19
Influenza epidemics are a familiar annual occurrence, what is new in 2020 is the COVID-19 pandemic. Many health systems are already stretched to their limits and have no spare time or capacity to deal with influenza. The two diseases can be difficult to distinguish from their symptoms alone, and require a laboratory test. The consequences of being infected with influenza and COVID-19 at the same time are not yet clear but the importance of preventing influenza infection is a certainty, this year more than ever. The most effective way to avoid influenza infection is through vaccination.
When silence is not a virtue: how traditional masculinities keep men from seeking mental health advice
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, 10 October, WHO/Europe focuses on how masculinity norms can discourage men from recognizing and seeking help for mental health problems. A new Health Evidence Network (HEN) report on Mental health, men, and culture, launched by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, gives concrete recommendations on how policy-makers can address certain mental health issues arising from traditional patterns of masculinity.
Developing new partnerships for health at European Health Forum Gastein
Taking part in this year’s European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), held virtually from 30 September to 2 October, representatives from WHO/Europe spoke about the importance of leveraging new partnerships to strengthen health across the WHO European Region. This included the announcement of the Oslo Medicines Initiative, to find ways to ensure greater access to affordable medicines while maintaining commercial viability for medicine producers.
Health system considerations: when influenza meets COVID-19
At the time of writing, there has been a resurgence of cases in many countries, especially as restrictive public health and social measures (PHSM) were eased to help restart economic and societal activity. This upsurge in cases is a cause for concern and countries in the WHO European Region have started re-implementing restrictions. But as COVID-19 will continue into the autumn and winter, the impending threat of seasonal influenza, influenza-like infections (ILIs) and pneumonia in the northern hemisphere will further challenge already overstretched health systems, raising new issues in managing the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and resulting COVID-19. These challenges are expected to continue until effective vaccines and antiviral treatments become available.
WHO Bulletin Call for Papers: Behavioural and Social Sciences for Better Health
As part of WHO’s efforts to scale up the use of behavioural and social sciences, the Bulletin will publish a special issue on Behavioural and Social Sciences for Health in late 2021.
New centre of excellence on humanitarian and health emergencies inaugurated in Istanbul
On 10 September 2020, the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies was formally inaugurated at a colourful ribbon-cutting ceremony, led online by Dr Fahrettin Koca, Minister of Health of Turkey, in Istanbul, and Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in Copenhagen. |
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This newsletter received co-funding under an operating grant from the European Union’s Health Programme (2014-2020). The content of this newsletter represents the views of the author(s) only and is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
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