Implementing the Health 2020 vision in the Nordic and Baltic countries: high-level meeting in Helsinki, Finland

[Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) - 16.06.2014] Implementing the Health 2020 vision in the Nordic and Baltic countries: high-level meeting in Helsinki, Finland

What policies reduce health inequities? Policy-makers and politicians will identify and share effective policies and interventions at a subregional policy dialogue organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Finlands Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on 16-17 June 2014.
"We live in a WHO region in which social, economic and technological advances mean that most of us will enjoy longer, healthier lives than our forebears. Yet widespread inequities in health exist, and are deepening: a sobering reflection of the different conditions in which people live. These inequities are not inevitable or unassailable. We have the evidence, and tools to enable everyone to enjoy their right - the human right - to health. We just need the commitment to do something, do more, do better, Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
The event brings together eight Baltic and Nordic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. Policy-makers and political representatives from health ministries and other government entities will have the opportunity to meet with WHO, national and international experts, and discuss important evidence and new thinking on tackling the determinants of health inequities within and between countries. The event is a major step in taking forward the equity goals of Health 2020, the European policy framework for health and well-being, across the Baltic and Nordic countries.
Sharing knowledge on health equity in the Nordic and Baltic countries
The policy dialogue provides a unique opportunity for country-to-country exchanges on current action and future perspectives to pursue one of the two priority objectives of Health 2020: reducing health inequalities. The findings of the review of social determinants and the health divide in the WHO European Region, one of the major studies that underpin the implementation of Health 2020, will be discussed. Discussion will focus on how to use the findings to generate better solutions for creating healthier, more resilient and sustainable societies.
The event will also help countries to identify shared priorities at both the national and subregional levels. Even though participating countries are pursuing diverse goals and are taking different policy measures to increase equity in health, they share the view that they can all do something, do more or do better.
Tools for equity in health
The policy dialogue will also include the presentation of a series of tools developed jointly by the Regional Office and the European Commission. These include atlases of health inequities in the WHO European Region(1), which enable policy-makers to analyse and makes comparisons of the status of health equity in various European countries; and a series of policy briefs that make evidence-based policy recommendations to reduce health inequities related to tobacco, alcohol, obesity and unintentional injuries. The briefs include examples of policies from European countries that that have contributed to improving health equity.

For further information, contact:
Sara Barragán Montes
WHO European Office for Investment
for Health and Development
Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Castello 3252/3252
I-30122 Venice, Italy
Tel.: +39 041 279 3875
Email: sbm@ihd.euro.who.int
Chris Brown
Programme Manager
WHO European Office for Investment
for Health and Development
Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Castello 3252/3252
I-30122 Venice, Italy
Tel.:+39 041 279 3847
Email: chb@ihd.euro.who.int
(1)
Review of social determinants and the health divide in the WHO European Region. Final report. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2014 (http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/health-2020-the-european-policy-for-health-and-well-being/publications/2013/review-of-social-determinants-and-the-health-divide-in-the-who-european-region.-final-report, accessed 13 June 2014).