Contribution to the New Public Health development in the South Eastern Europe, 2000-2010

Abstract

Aim: To document the contribution of the Public Health Cooperation in South Eastern Europe (PH-SEE) Project during 2000-2010, to the development of the New Public Health in SEE. Methods: Critical analysis of the project activities and outcomes based on the relevant documents, Internet sources and published literature, as well as personal experience and observations of the authors as active contributors to the PH-SEE Network activities. Facts and findings: Within the last 10 years South Eastern Europe (SEE) countries have been experiencing a kind of renaissance or revolution of public health in their region. There has been undergoing profound changes with raising awareness, capacity building in public health and health management, and preparing target-oriented public health practitioners, researchers, health policy analysts and managers for health care institutions. A strong network for long-term cooperation was established among public health institutions and professionals in the SEE region. Advancements in the teaching and research in public health and analysis/formulation of national health policies were followed by curriculum development for Master in Public Health and establishment of Public Health postgraduate education programmes/centres/schools of public health in almost each country in the SEE region. Among the most tangible outcomes of the Project were the handbooks for teachers, researchers and public health professionals. Six volumes were published so far, and the seventh one will be published next year, 2011. Conclusion: The PH-SEE project has been a real success, not only in terms of achieving its goals related to public health development in the region by raising training and research capacity, but also in terms of inter-country cooperation, getting in the line with the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe main goal of strengthening the efforts of the countries of the region in fostering peace, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity.