26.D. Round table: Achieving healthy prosperous lives for all – from evidence to action

Abstract

Abstract The adoption of the WHO Resolution on Health Equity (EUR/RC69/R5) put equity, gender equality, human rights and social determinants high on the agenda for policy action and priority for all 53 EURO Member States (MS) and partners. It gives new momentum in the European region to accelerate action in achieving healthy and prosperous lives for all, leaving no one behind. The European Health Equity Status Report initiative (HESRi) is connecting European policy makers with the solutions and best practices to accelerate progress towards this goal of healthy prosperous lives for all. The initiative was launched in 2018 by WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development and uses an innovative five-step approach underpinned by a suite of tools and sophisticated data analyses to: (1) enable countries to identify who is being left behind and why; (2) build political and public support for action; (3) understand which policies and interventions work best; (4) measure and maintain progress; and (5) influence and sustain action. Key tools launched in 2019 include i) An online interactive Health Equity Dataset which provides country specific data on the status and trends of inequities in health, well-being, and five essential underlying conditions for the 53 member states of the WHO European Region, ii) A Health Equity Policy Tool to support countries in efforts to measure the coverage, uptake and effectiveness of policies for health equity, and iii) 30 case studies showing how countries are advancing real world solutions to improve equity in health. Currently Italy, Slovenia and Wales are developing national and subnational health equity status reports in order to support action for health and well-being for all and measure policy progress. In the USA, practical action for health equity has been rooted in advocacy work reframing the public narrative to focus on social injustices and structural drivers of inequities, a key pillar of the HESRi work. The round table aims to explore the country impact and uptake of the new innovative methods and tools and their potential for accelerating action on regional, national and global level. Key messages WHO Resolution on Health Equity put equity, gender equality, human rights and social determinants high on the agenda for policy action. The European Health Equity Status Report initiative (HESRi) is connecting European policy makers with the solutions and best practices to accelerate progress towards healthy prosperous lives for all.