President's column: The future of public health in Europe: towards a more active partnership with WHO/EURO

Abstract

WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work 2006–2015 to be decided in May 2006 concludes that ‘public health can no longer be considered separately from that of economics, trade, security, domestic and international policy-making, or any other field. Governments can no longer make domestic policies, bilateral or multilateral agreements on trade, agriculture, environment, or labour without considering the impact on the health and livelihood of their own people—and all people’.1 The programme identifies several major challenges: to close the gaps in social justice, responsibility and synergies, implementation, and knowledge. It proposes joint action among actors within and outside the conventional health sector, and in making the commitment to resolving those issues. The programme of work outlines a global health agenda which includes the following 10 priority areas that follow up previous efforts2: EUPHA representatives were invited to participate as observers in an international consultation on the Programme on 10–11 January 2006. This meeting was attended by representatives of over 30 Member Countries and WHO staff. Both EUPHA President Horst Noack and EUPHA Manager Dineke Zeegers Paget participated in the discussion. In a short presentation on EUPHA's ‘10 Statements on the Future of Public Health in Europe’, Horst Noack briefly referred to the commonalities in aims and commitment of both organizations. He emphasized the potential gains to be expected from joining efforts in a number of fields. A closer look at EUPHA's statements suggests much common ground for future collaboration …