Saatja: "EURO CEH" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "EURO CEH" <
[email protected]>
Teema: Rebooting Health Promotion: Nature-based solutions for prevention and health promotion in a changing climate, 29 April 2026 11:45 – 12:30 CEST
Kuupäev: 2026-04-17 14:59
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear
Members of the EHTF,
Our division for Prevention and Health Promotion (PHP) is holding
meetings from 29-30 April 2026 on Rebooting Health Promotion.
The concept note and flyer are attached.
During this event, WHO ECEH will be holding a session on Nature-based
solutions for prevention and health promotion in a changing climate, 29
April 2026 11:45 – 12:30 CEST to which you are invited to participate.
Please complete the registration form at:
https://who.zoom.us/meeting/register/q54cMSu1QyuM4qF3mrvI_A#/registration
For your information, please see the session description, objectives and
list of speakers below.
Session Description
The session will examine the health benefits of Nature-based Solutions
(NbS) in preventing disease and promoting health, with a focus on
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). It will highlight how well-designed urban
NbS can address climate-related challenges – particularly extreme heat and
flooding – while improving population well-being.
The discussion will emphasize equity-driven, evidence-based, and
sustainable approaches that enhance climate resilience and meet societal
needs – including access to green space, shade, and urban cooling – and
support Member States in advancing integrated, health promoting, and
climate-responsive policies, while strengthening community engagement.
Session Objectives
The outcome of the session will inform the WHO European Regional Strategy
on tackling NCDs and advancing health promotion and well-being (2027–2037)
by identifying priority actions for applying NbS to interconnected climate
and health challenges, particularly in urban settings.
Moderators:
Sinaia Netanyahu, Senior Advisor for Nature and Health, WHO European
Centre for Environment and Health, and
Rebecca Lovell, Senior Lecturer in Biodiversity, Health and Policy,
European Centre for Environment and Human Health
Speakers:
Ben Wheeler, WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health,
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter,
Penryn, United Kingdom
Edvardas Minkevičius, Chief Adviser, Architecture and Landscape, Policy
Group, Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Fabien Lanteri, Direction de la santé, Ville de Nic, France
Pierpaolo Paolo, Technical Officer, WHO European Centre for Environment
and Health
Gerardo Sanchaez, Expert in Environment and Health, European Environment
Agency
Oliver Schmoll, Programme Manager, WASH and Climate Adaption, WHO
European Centre for Environment and Health
For questions or more information, please contact Dr Sinaia Netanyahu
(
[email protected]).
Best regards,
---
EHP Secretariat
WHO Regional Office for Europe | European Centre for Environment, Climate
Change and Health | Bonn, Germany
E-mail:
[email protected] | Web: European Environment and Health Process
(EHP)
X1WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Rebooting health promotion
Marking 40 years of the Ottawa Charter in the
WHO European Region
Version: 1
Original: English
Date: 29 & 30 April 2026
Virtual
Concept Note
Forty years ago, the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion reframed global thinking on health from a
focus on treating illness to promoting overall well-being through shaping the social, economic and
environmental conditions that enable people and communities to gain greater control over their health and
its determinants. Since then, this vision has evolved in response to new realities while reaffirming the
foundational idea that health is created where we live, work, learn and connect.
Today this approach is as critical as ever. Rising megatrends including widening inequalities, conflict,
climate crisis, digital transformation, shifting demographics and the growing burden of noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs) are challenging the prerequisites for health: peace, shelter, education, food, income, a
stable eco-system, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. 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, and challenging effective disease prevention and the promotion of
physical and mental health and well-being. Building and maintaining trust, addressing the social
determinants of health and reducing inequalities, and empowering communities are foundational to
effective and equitable responses to these challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that a
health promotion approach is equally essential for communicable disease prevention and control.
Meanwhile countries are facing strained health systems, mounting costs, shrinking budgets and workforce
shortages. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 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. Productivity losses from
avoidable NCD deaths are approaching half a trillion euro annually.
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.
To reflect on the lessons of health promotion over the past four decades and to collectively shape the path
forward, the WHO Regional Office for Europe invites Member States and other stakeholders to
participate in a virtual dialogue on 29-30 April 2026. This forum will provide a space for reflection,
visioning and linking the legacy of the Ottawa Charter with emerging challenges, opportunities and ways
of working.
This dialogue will also contribute to the framing of a proposed WHO European Regional Strategy on
tackling noncommunicable diseases and advancing health promotion and well-being 2027-2037, ensuring
that it is rooted in community engagement and reflects the priorities of Member States and partners, and
responds to the political, social and economic realities of today and the decade ahead.
Concept Note
Page 2
Objectives
• Revisit the legacy of the Ottawa Charter and its impact on well-being in the WHO European
Region and draw lessons for future action.
• Reposition health promotion as a strategic, equity-driven response to emerging health, social and
environmental challenges, and share evidence-based practices to strengthen health promoting
systems, settings and policies and inform future Regional strategies on NCDs and mental health.
• Reinforce partnerships and community engagement to empower people to create sustainable
health-promoting environments.
Programme overview
What shapes our health? Revisiting Ottawa for a new era
29 April 2026 | 10:00–12:30 CET
Designing for health: Recommitting to health promotion
30 April 2026 | 10:00–12:30 CET
The event will include high-level panels, discussions with thought leaders and interactive breakout
discussion. It is intended for policymakers, government officials at all levels, public health and health
care professionals, civil society organizations, researchers, health advocates and international partners.
Registration
Participation is free, but registration is required. The event will be held in English with interpretation into
Russian available. Register here: Rebooting health promotion
For questions, please contact Allison Ekberg (
[email protected])
Rebooting
HEALTH
PROMOTION
breakout session
29 APRIL
11:45-12:30 CET
Nature-based solutions for prevention and health promotion in a changing climate
The session will examine the health benefits of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in preventing
disease and promoting health, with a focus on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
It will highlight how well-designed urban NbS can address climate-related challenges –
particularly extreme heat and flooding – while improving population well-being.
The discussion will emphasize equity-driven, evidence-based, and sustainable approaches
that enhance climate resilience and meet societal needs – including access to green space,
shade, and urban cooling – and support Member States in advancing integrated, health-
promoting, and climate-responsive policies, while strengthening community engagement.
Objective
The outcome of the session will inform the WHO European Regional Strategy on tackling
NCDs and advancing health promotion and well-being (2027–2037) by identifying priority
actions for applying NbS to interconnected climate and health challenges, particularly in
urban settings.
Dr. Sinaia Netanyahu Prof. Ben Wheeler Dr. Rebecca Lovell
Senior Advisor on Nature and Co-director of the WHO CC on Senior Lecturer in Biodiversity,
Health, WHO European Center Natural Environments and Health, Health and Policy, European Centre
for Environment and Health, European Centre for Environment for Environment and Human
Germany and Human Health, Health
University of Exeter, UK
29 APRIL Register to join
11:45-12:30 CET