What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review

Arts interventions, such as singing in a choir to improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are considered noninvasive, low-risk treatment options and are increasingly being used by Member States to supplement more traditional biomedical treatments. The Health Evidence Network (HEN) synthesis report on arts and health maps the global academic literature on this subject in both English and Russian. It references over 900 publications, including 200 reviews, covering over 3000 further studies. As such, the report represents the most comprehensive evidence review of arts and health to date.

EVIPNet Europe: situation analysis manual

Purpose: The WHO's Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) has supported Member States in designing, implementing and institutionalizing efforts to support evidence-informed policy-making (EIP). This experience has shown the importance of systematically and comprehensively identifying important contextual factors that can either support or hinder countries in identifying the organizational and operational niche of the future EVIPNet knowledge translation platform (KTP) at the country level. The Situation Analysis Manual guides the analysis of such contextual factors. The purpose of this Manual is twofold: 1. to assist WHO Member States in planning and conducting a situation analysis (SA) to understand the local context with regard to EIP/KTP. An SA aims to gather background information that supports a systematic and comprehensive reflection on the most important local factors that will either support or act as barriers to the establishment and operationalization of future KTPs. KTPs are the fundamental units of EVIPNet at the country level; 2. to provide general principles, approaches and tools that can be applied to conduct and present the findings from an SA. While several tools and approaches are meant to assist users in tackling the SA, the Manual is not a rigid protocol. The data collection methods should be, as required, adapted to the local context. For instance, questions can be amended to ensure that these are culturally and/ or politically sensitive. Target audience: The primary audience for this Manual are SA teams responsible for planning and supporting the establishment of KTPs. An SA team should consist of the following individuals/groups: representatives of the WHO Country Office; implementation team (including EVIPNet Europe national champion(s) in evidence-informed policy-making and national consultant(s), who may be hired to conduct parts of the SA); and oversight group (including key stakeholders, e.g. from the policy and research communities as well as civil society). The WHO Secretariat of EVIPNet Europe can guide the team in implementing the SA.

Communication and advocacy checklist: EVIPNet Europe

The aim of this document is to serve EVIPNet Europe country teams and WHO country offices as a summary of the major communication considerations associated with communicating about and advocating for EVIPNet. It can serve as a "refresher" of related concepts, tools and "to-do's", or it can be used as a reference point (e.g. for planning how to convince a high-level government official to invest in EVIPNet or how to approach the media regarding news from the latest EVIPNet workshop). The document includes the key considerations to keep in mind when communicating about and advocating for EVIPNet. It addresses the processes of identifying the audience and channels of communication and tailoring the message to the particular objectives with preparation of talking points. It covers how to approach the media and how to use social media sensibly (section 5). Examples of benefits from EVIPNet and success stories are at hand. Those who organize EVIPNet related events will benefit from a useful overview of how to plan the communication activities around it.

Third meeting of the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC); 10-12 November 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark

The RVC met for the third time on 10– 12 November 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 8-member panel evaluated 59 country reports, annual status updates (ASU) for 2013 and late-submitted elimination status reports (ESRs) for 2010–2012, received after the 2013 meeting. The RVC was pleased to note that 50 out of 53 Member States have now established NVCs and, as a result, more Member States had submitted timely and complete annual reports than in the previous year. Based on reports submitted, it was concluded that as of the end of 2013, there were 22 countries in which endemic measles transmission had been interrupted, and 23 countries in which endemic rubella transmission was interrupted.

WHO Subregional meeting for the measles/rubella national reference laboratories of western and central European Countries: Helsinki, Finland, 5‐7 May 2014

WHO Regional Office for Europe convened a technical meeting at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) with the support of the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Helsinki, Finland on 5-7 May 2014. The meeting aimed at reviewing the status and performance of the European Measles Rubella Labnet, particularly in the context of approaching measles and rubella elimination.

The role of pharmacist in encouraging prudent use of antibiotics and averting antimicrobial resistance: a review of policy and experience

The good pharmacy practice (GPP) Joint FIP/WHO guidelines on GPP: standards for quality of pharmacy servicesstates, “The mission of pharmacy practice is to contribute to health improvement and to help patients with healthproblems to make the best use of their medicines”. Based on the results of a literature review of the GPP rolesrelating to AMR and a survey conducted in the WHO European Member States, this report outlines the roles ofpharmacists in this mission and, since they are often the first point of contact for patients, their potential asimportant allies in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The report illustrates that pharmacists alreadyhave experience in treating patients with antibiotics, both responsibly and within an appropriate legal framework. Italso indicates, however, that in many countries the general public can still buy antibiotics over the counter withouta diagnosis or prescription and use them at will. According to the survey, pharmacists are among the bestpositioned to influence the appropriate use of antibiotics and, therefore, have a crucial role to play in combatingAMR alongside policy-makers and general practitioners: every player is key.

Surveillance Guidelines for Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the WHO European Region

The WHO Regional Committee for Europe adopted the goal of eliminating indigenous measles transmission in 1998. In 2005, the Regional Committee expanded this commitment to include rubella and set a date for the elimination of both diseases by 2010. Although Member States did make progress, through the implementation of a strategic plan, the goal was not achieved. The WHO Regional Committee for Europe acknowledged at its sixtieth session (2010) that the regional goal of eliminating measles and rubella is achievable, and set a new target date of 2015. In the document Eliminating measles and rubella and preventing congenital rubella infection, WHO European Region strategic plan 2005–2010, key strategies are identified to meet the targets for interrupting transmission of indigenous measles and rubella and preventing congenital rubella infection. Strengthening surveillance systems by vigorous case investigation, including laboratory confirmation, is one of these key strategies. In line with the elimination goal, Surveillance guidelines for measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in the WHO European Region are intended to provide technical advice on the design and implementation of surveillance programmes. Surveillance indicators defined in these guidelines will be critical for assessing whether Member States have achieved the level of disease surveillance necessary for documenting elimination of indigenous measles and rubella transmission, and verifying that the Region’s elimination objectives have been reached.

The impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in high-income countries: a review of the evidence

This publication reviews current knowledge, especially in high-income countries, and finds evidence of a causal link between good health and healthy behaviors on the contribution to educational attainment.

Methods for monitoring indoor air quality in schools: report of a meeting: Bonn, Germany, 4–5 April 2011

A WHO consultation in November 2010 selected a set of environmental health indicators for monitoring the implementation of time bound commitments to reduce health effects of environmental hazards in children that were adopted by Member States at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Parma (2010). New indicators addressing exposure to selected indoor air pollutants in the school environment, moulds and dampness in school buildings, and insufficient ventilation in classrooms will require new data collection in Member States. This technical meeting co-sponsored by WHO and the Joint Research Centre of European Commission defined methodological approaches for national surveys in schools, set schedule for further methodology development, pilot testing and preparation of guidelines

Promoting sport and enhancing health in European Union countries: a policy content analysis to support action

Sport promotion plays a very important role in supporting theachievement of the recommended levels of physical activity in theEuropean population. The aim of this document is to support advancesin policy-making for physical activity promotion by highlighting recentnational policy developments in the area of sports promotion, with afocus on synergies and discrepancies with the promotion of healthenhancing physical activity. The document presents and discusses themain results of a content analysis of the most recent national sportsstrategies in the Member States of the European Union and suggeststen key points for policy-makers.The policies and documents collected in connection with thedevelopment of this document are available in the WHO database onnutrition, obesity and physical activity (NOPA database). The databaseprovides Member States with information about existing policydocuments, legislation and other approaches to sport and physicalactivity as well as diet, nutrition and obesity in the European Region.This document was developed in the framework of a project on“Promoting networking, exchange and greater synergy between sportand health-enhancing physical activity sectors” (NET-SPORT-HEALTH),co-financed by the European Commission, Directorate-General forEducation and Culture under the Preparatory Action in the Field ofSport 2009.

Climate change, extreme weather events and public health: meeting report: 29–30 November 2010: Bonn, Germany

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany, co-organized an international and national expert meeting with technical support from the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and the German Meteorological Service (DWD), to discuss the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on public health and the draft public health handbooks developed by WHO to address and prevent these effects. The main outcomes of, and recommendations from, the meeting are contained in this report

Heat-health Action Plan: to prevent the heat-waves consequences on the health of the population in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The Health-health Action Plan of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been developed to implement adaptation measures and prevent health consequences of extreme heat caused by changing weather conditions as a result of climate change. The primary goal of the Plan is to reduce heat-related morbidity and deaths through issuing heat health warnings, with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable population groups, provide timely advice and announcements of upcoming heat-waves, raise awareness amongst the public and health workers, and coordinate and mobilize all available resources in a timely manner to prevent the health consequences of heat-waves. The Plan consists of activities that will be conducted by governmental representatives and institutions from the health sector as well as other relevant sectors. The aim of the Plan is to provide a multisectoral approach in the response to extreme heat, through prompt action by all institutions designated as responsible with this Plan. This document is in line with the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Youth-friendly health policies and services in the European Region: sharing experiences

This publication presents experiences of how health systems in Member States of the WHO EuropeanRegion respond to the challenge of meeting the health and developmental needs of young people. Themain aim is to facilitate experience-sharing and stimulate actions in countries.The first part presents a summary of the proceedings of the Meeting on Youth-friendly Health Policiesand Services held in Edinburgh, United Kingdom (Scotland), 21−23 September 2009, with suggestions toinform decision-makers’ actions on creating and developing youth-friendly health policies and services intheir own countries and internationally. There then follows a series of 12 case studies from nine countrieswith differing socioeconomic contexts that recently put in place youth health services initiatives.The casestudies are presented within a health system framework which recognizes that for service delivery toachieve it aims, sustainable financing, adequate human resource development strategies and responsibleleadership are necessary.

Europe influenza surveillance - EuroFlu.org

It presents weekly surveillance report on influenza situation in European region. Some reports have maps and tables.