Baku, Azerbaijan 12–15 September 2011

53 member states attended the 61st session, of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, the governing body for the Region. Issues discussed included the new European policy for Health, Health 2020 and strategies for strengthening health systems in the WHO European Region.

Key themes:

• The new European policy for Health – Health 2020 which focuses on equity, public health and an ‘all-of-government’ approach.
• European experiences of the ‘health divide’, with practical examples of how individual states address the social determinants of health.
• Strengthening of health systems within the WHO European Region, including a framework for strengthening public health capacities and services in Europe and the interim report on implementation of the Tallinn Charter.

The session was addressed by WHO Secretary-General, Dr Margaret Chan, who commended countries in the WHO European Region for their “ambitious and courageous … even daring” agenda.  Another contributor, Professor Sir Michael Marmot, University College London, called on delegates to recognise the importance of addressing social inequalities and suggested that if countries are to address the fundamental causes of health inequity, action is also needed beyond the health sector.

Further information about the session and the ongoing work of the office can be found on the WHO Regional Office for Europe website