Our work

Our work in Estonia

Sören Talu

European Programme of Work – ‘United Action for Better Health in Europe’

The European Programme of Work (EPW) sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can support countries in our region better in meeting citizens' expectations about health. It is not an exhaustive list of all the actions and health areas that WHO covers but rather describes a new way of working to close the gaps in health outcomes throughout our region. It aligns the work of WHO/Europe with the triple billion targets, while supporting countries in their commitments to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-Being for All.

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The Pan-European Mental Health Coalition

In 2021, more than 150 million people in the WHO European Region live with a mental health condition, and only 1 in 3 people living with depression receive the care they need. To address these gaps in mental health services and support, many of which have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO/Europe has launched a new Pan-European Mental Health Coalition.

Empowerment through Digital Health

This flagship initiative complements initiatives from various countries and partner institutions by providing technical and policy guidance and expertise on the safety and efficacy of digital health solutions; and preserving health equity, gender equality, equity and human rights as core values in their deployment.

The European Immunization Agenda 2030

This flagship initiative will remobilize political leaders at regional, subregional and country levels to ensure continued high-visibility commitment to high and equitable vaccination coverage within countries. This initiative aims to lead to an upward convergence of vaccination coverage between countries.

Healthier behaviours: incorporating behavioural and cultural insights

With this flagship initiative, WHO/Europe intends to invest in new insights that can help to build a culture of health in which everyone is enabled to make healthy choices, in their daily lives and in the way they use health services.

Our work in the Region

An introduction to WHO in the European Region

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Small countries initiative

The Small Countries Initiative was established in 2013 at an informal meeting held during the 63rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Çeşme Izmir, Turkey. The Initiative has since grown into a network of 11 Member States in the WHO European Region with populations of 2 million or less.

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Regions for Health Network (RHN)

Since 1993, the WHO European Regions for Health Network (RHN) has helped regions to accelerate the delivery of improved population health. RHN is committed to the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the European Programme of Work (EPW), 2020 –2025.The Network is instrumental in efforts “to support local living environments that enable health and well-being”.

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An introduction to WHO in the European Region