Today our health is being challenged by intersecting megatrends – from increasing health threats to climate change, demographic shifts, the dominance of digital environments and the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Forty years after the Ottawa Charter on Health Promotion reframed global thinking on health – from treating illness to promoting well-being by addressing the conditions that shape health, WHO/Europe is convening a virtual dialogue to reflect on how a health promotion approach can address today’s challenges.
While the core principles of health promotion remain unchanged – advocating for conditions favourable to health, achieving equity and promoting multisectoral action – the contexts and environments in which they must be applied are increasingly complex. Social, political, economic, environmental and digital determinants of health are shaping the conditions in which people live, work and connect – challenging effective disease prevention and the promotion of health and well-being.
Meanwhile countries are facing strained health systems, mounting costs, shrinking budgets and workforce shortages. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and other NCD targets is faltering. Recent WHO estimates indicate that 60% of the 1.8 million annual avoidable deaths caused by NCDs in the WHO European Region could be averted with better prevention.
The core intent of health promotion remains constant. What must evolve are the strategies, partnerships, policies, governance arrangements and tools through which this is realized.
The event will take place online over 2 half-day sessions:
- 29 April 2026 (10:00–12:30 Central European Summer Time)
- 30 April 2026 (10:00–12:30 Central European Summer Time)
The event will include high-level panels, discussions with thought leaders and interactive breakout discussion. It is intended for policy-makers, government officials at all levels, public health and health-care professionals, representatives of civil society organizations, researchers, health advocates and international partners.
Discussions will look at how a health promotion approach can address current challenges and will also help to inform the conceptualization of the next WHO European regional strategy on noncommunicable diseases.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- reflect on 40 years of health promotion in the WHO European Region
- share experiences and best practices
- contribute to shaping future regional priorities for health promotion and NCD prevention
- strengthen engagement across sectors.
Registration
Participation is free, but registration is required. The event will be held in English with interpretation into Russian available.