European Public Health NewsEUPHA President’s ColumnEUPHA Office ColumnEUPHA members’ column: terrorists ‘activities’ in France from a public health perspectiveMessage from the WHO Regional Director for EuropeMessage by Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU commissioner for health and food safety on the commission’s draft scientific criteria to identify endocrine disruptors for regulating pesticides and biocides9th European Public Health Conference—‘all for health—health for all’

Abstract

In this European public health news, we welcome the final contribution from McKee as EUPHA president. In his last column, McKee highlights the current ‘hot’ topics in Europe (migration, austerity and Brexit) and emphasises the need to continue working together. To reflect the current terrorist activities in Europe, the office column is very short and combined with the first EUPHA member column, written for the French Society of Public Health by Charpak and Lombrail. Again the need for public health to continue working together is obvious. Jakab nicely reflects on partnership as well whilst addressing the millennium development goals (MDGs) and their impact on (public) health. Andriukaitis presents the need to work together with other actors, such as environmental agencies, to protect the public's health. Zeegers concludes that for the upcoming EPH Conference in Vienna, the working together, networking and partnering is one of the key factors of this annual conference. # EUPHA President’s Column {#article-title-2} This is the last column that I shall write as president of EUPHA. These have been a difficult 2 years for everyone striving to improve the health of the population of Europe. First, our populations have changed, with large-scale migration from the Middle East and North Africa, as desperate people flee conflict and poverty. We have seen population movement on a scale last experienced in the aftermath of the Second World War. Second, a number of countries, especially but not exclusively those in southern Europe and the Baltics, have faced continuing austerity, with many of the achievements of the post-war welfare state being reversed. Third, and most worrying, we have seen the rise of populist political parties in many countries, creating divisions and promoting hatred. These arguments have gained traction among a large section of the population, individuals who have been left behind by the changes that have taken …