WHO Regional Office for Europe

🇱🇹🤝 To conclude our visit to Lithuania as part of #InternationalNursesWeek, we joined discussions at the Lithuanian Parliament on the future of nursing and the role nurses play in Lithuania's health system. Our discussions looked at the Lithuanian findings inf our #MeND report and the #NursingAction focusing on building a strong, respected, and visible nursing profession. As the discussions drew to a close and the participants read the final resolution to the Minister of Health, participants emphasized the importance of decent work as fundamental to the retention and recruitment strategies in Lithuania. This means: 🔹 Improved workload management 🔹 Scaling up workplace supports 🔹 Increasing leadership and professional autonomy opportunities for nurses; and 🔹 Securing safe working conditions. More about #NursingAction 🇪🇺 https://bit.ly/4tGwbX9 More on the #MeND https://bit.ly/3Wj6Rr7

The epidemic of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). What does that mean for the countries and people in WHO European Region?

This week, we held the 6th meeting of the European Health Information Network, co-funded by EU Health and Food Safety and hosted by HIMSS. This network is a space for countries to learn from each other across borders, systems and stages of health information system maturity. 2 years in, it continues to grow in ambition and impact. On the agenda this time: 📌 Latest updates from the European Commission, eHealth Network and WHO 📌 EHDS implementation across EU Member States and applying EHDS principles beyond the EU 📌 Developing guidance for stimulating the use of health information in decision-making and improving data quality 📌 Real country experiences from 🇫🇷 France, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇪 Ireland and 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan 📌Health information system assessment results from Latvia and Spain …and more! David Novillo Ortiz, PhD, Marieke Verschuuren

When it comes to health, numbers only tell half the story. That's why looking behind the data of the End-of-Biennium Report for the human stories the figures represent. Read the report here: https://bit.ly/4cQG1iX QualityRights is a WHO signature initiative making strides in how mental health is treated. It aims to eliminate coercive measures, including seclusion and restraint, that are a violation of human rights under key international instruments. As one of the QualityRights trainers explains: “People will say, well, human rights are okay until it comes to this particular issue of seclusion and restraint, but then we have to make other decisions to mitigate risk and ensure safety, to protect other people.” But bit by bit, with the help of partners and engaging with Member States, WHO is helping to ensure these coercive practices is phased out. The initiative is one of many achievements driving results in the End-of-Biennium report. Find out more below👇 https://bit.ly/4cQG1iX

🍎 Healthier foods in schools! 🍎 Creating healthier food environments requires strong political commitment and evidence-based policies. This week, on 19–20 May 2026, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of #Moldova and the National Agency for Public Health, with support from WHO/Europe, convened a high-level policy dialogue on nutrition and obesity prevention. The event brought together representatives of parliament, government institutions, academia, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to discuss policy measures that can help improve diets and reduce the growing burden of overweight, obesity and noncommunicable diseases (#NCDs). Participants explored WHO-recommended interventions aimed at making healthier choices more accessible and easier for people to adopt. Discussions focused on several key priorities, including: 🔹 healthier nutrition standards in schools 🔹 front-of-pack nutrition labelling 🔹 elimination of trans fats 🔹 taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages 🔹 protecting children from unhealthy food marketing 🔹 strengthening nutrition and obesity surveillance systems The discussions come at an important moment for Moldova. According to the latest WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) data, 1 in 5 first-grade children in the country is living with overweight, including 8.8% affected by obesity. Reducing #obesity and improving nutrition are among the most cost-effective investments countries can make to prevent cardiovascular diseases, #diabetes, #cancer and other NCDs — while also supporting healthier future generations. We thank Resolve To Save Lives for the partnership.

Moving beyond GDP and redirecting resources from fossil fuel and agricultural subsidies to climate–health action. These are among actionable recommendations of the experts on the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health; the independent advisory board we asked to come up with solutions to address the impact climate change is having – on YOUR health. #PECCH #EuroClimateHealthCommission 

👏 💡 A big step forward for digital mental health in Europe. Yesterday, WHO/Europe convened 42 experts from across the Region to co‑design the next chapter of digital mental health. Together with Ireland’s Health Service Executive and Department of Health, we are developing a new regional roadmap to help countries scale up digital solutions that are accessible, evidence‑based, and inclusive. The roadmap will focus on core action areas, including: 📌strong governance and accountability 📌robust digital infrastructure and standards 📌meaningful engagement and capacity building 📌continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning This collaboration marks an exciting step toward transforming how mental health services are delivered and supported across the WHO European Region. The roadmap will align with key European priorities, including the Second European Programme of Work and the Regional Digital Health Action Plan 2023–2030. It also takes into account recent EU‑level developments, such as the Council of the European Union conclusions on promoting and protecting the mental health of children and adolescents in the digital era. This work is supported by the European Commission through the “Addressing mental health challenges in the EU, Iceland and Norway” project. Learn more and watch this space for updates: https://lnkd.in/eTngeH3g -- Ledia Lazëri Ana Maria Tijerino Inestroza Rachel Greenley David Novillo Ortiz, PhD #digitalhealth #mentalhealth