This week marks the 50th anniversary of the WHO's Expanded Programme on Immunization,  now known as the Essential Programme on Immunization, or EPI. This initiative has been a driving force behind the quest for fair access to life-saving vaccines for every child, irrespective of their geographical or socioeconomic circumstances.  

Over the past half-century, EPI has played a crucial role in shaping our battle against preventable diseases. But this is not a self-congratulatory episode, celebrating EPI’s triumphs. We will also examine the persistent challenges of inequitable vaccine access, growing skepticism towards immunization, and the future of global health collaboration. We are going to dissect successes, confront the hurdles, and question what's next for this vital global health programme.

Find out more: 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) (who.int)

There is an alarming resurgence of measles. In the WHO European Region, a startling uptick has been observed, with now over 50,000 cases reported across 41 Member States during 2023. This is a staggering increase from the 941 cases recorded throughout 2022, marking a more than fiftyfold escalation. 

Measles is a highly contagious virus. It can spread rapidly through breathing, coughing, or sneezing by an infected individual. The consequences of this disease can be severe, often leading to serious complications and, tragically, even fatalities.

In addition to the suffering caused by measles, containing outbreaks is costly and detracts from other health care services.  Of course, an illness which can last two weeks or more also impacts families directly.

In a Region in which 33 countries are considered to have eliminated measles what are the reasons behind this surge in measles cases and what strategies are we exploring for curbing the spread of this virus. Joining us for discussion is Robb Butler, the Director of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe.

Find out more: https://www.who.int/health-topics/measles

In the latest 'Health in Europe' podcast, we explore Jack Kavanagh's transformation from a sports enthusiast to a disability rights advocate following a spinal cord injury. 

WHO talks with Jack for a deep dive into creating inclusive health systems. This episode goes beyond Jack's personal journey, addressing the societal need for health systems that cater to all, highlighting inclusivity, equity, and diverse needs. 

Find out more about Health and Disabilities on the WHO/Europe website: https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/disability 

We explore the transformative synergy of art and health, and how art can positively help tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Join us as we discuss the healing potential of art interventions with experts from WHO/Europe's Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation and Behavioural and Cultural insights units. Read more in the new WHO/Europe report “Learning from the arts” here: The power of healing: new WHO report shows how arts can help beat noncommunicable diseases

Have you ever wondered what it's truly like to be in prison? As we reflect on the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this podcast takes you on a thought-provoking journey to life behind bars, encouraging you to empathize and understand the realities faced by incarcerated individuals. Because the truth is, prisons are not isolated entities but integral parts of our society.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals act as a vital catalyst, urging countries worldwide to strive for Universal Health Coverage.  This encompasses the twin objectives of providing financial risk protection and ensuring equitable access to high quality essential health care services.  But how exactly do we define quality of care?

To shed more light on this important topic,  WHO/Europe has launched a brand new podcast called "The Fourth Dimension", which is entirely dedicated to quality of care. 
This podcast is produced and hosted by our expert team in Athens, Greece, who specialize in this field. 

For this episode of Health In Europe, we are going to play you the premiere episode of "The Fourth Dimension".   If you enjoy it, we encourage you to follow the Fourth Dimension on your favourite streaming service (or from wherever you get your podcasts).  Enjoy!

More about Quality of Care from WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/universal-health-coverage/quality-of-care#tab=tab_1

CREDITS
Hosted by: Thanos Myloneros
Edited by: Thanos Myloneros and David Barrett
Health in Europe Theme Music by: Ben King

One in three school-aged children in the WHO European Region are living with overweight or obesity, and countries are working hard to break and reverse this trend. In this episode, Julianne Williams, WHO technical officer for Noncommunicable Diseases at the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, and Mirjam Heinen, WHO consultant working for the same Office, talked to us about best evidence-based practices that can help.

LINKS

Childhood obesity in European Region remains high: new WHO report presents latest country data: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/08-11-2022-childhood-obesity-in-european-region-remains-high--new-who-report-presents-latest-country-data

Report on the fifth round of data collection, 2018–2020: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (‎COSI)‎: Report on the fifth round of data collection, 2018–2020: WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (‎COSI)‎

WHO European Obesity Report 2022: https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289057738

CREDITS
Hosted by: Aleksandra Olson and Igor Kryuchkov
Edited by: Igor Kryuchkov and David Barrett
Sound design by: David Barrett
Music: Science Marimba by Gavin Linnihan, Cool Cats Marimba by Howard Parker
Theme Music by: Ben King

This episode of Health in Europe focuses on a very important question – can vaccines prevent cancer? We know that cancer is a complicated and elusive disease. According to WHO, cancer is the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths in 2020. So, the potential to prevent some types of cancer through vaccination is quite literally life-saving.

Dr. Nino Berdzuli, the Director of the Division of Country Health Programs at the WHO Regional Office for Europe, has extensive experience in public health.  In this episode, Dr Berdzuli talks sheds light on how vaccination programmes can support and strengthen health systems, the progress made by the WHO European Region in addressing cancer, and how vaccines can prevent certain types of cancers – such as cancers caused by HPV.  The conversation is led by our media officer, Bhanu Bhatnagar.

More about Cancer: https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/cancer#tab=tab_1

More about Vaccines and Immunization: https://www.who.int/europe/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization

More about WHO/Europe: https://www.who.int/europe/home?v=welcome

Behavioral and cultural insights utilize social sciences to tackle ongoing health issues - from vaccine uptake to antimicrobial resistance to obesity and other noncommunicable diseases.

In this conversation Bhanu Bhatnagar, Press and Media Relations Officer at WHO Regional Office for Europe, spoke with Dr Saad Omer, Director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, during a Twitter spaces event to find out more about why behavioural and cultural insights matter to public health.

In this episode we hear from Dr Moez Zeiton – a trauma surgeon who’s worked with WHO in Iraq and now is a trainer with the David Nott Foundation, teaching surgeons how to treat trauma patients in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Alcohol harms everyone and there is no safe limit to alcohol consumption when it comes to health. A new episode of the ‘Health in Europe’ podcast gives the mic over to young people who discuss the harms and policies that are needed with input from Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, Programme Manager for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.

Notes:

• Space Invaders : Young people's views about alcohol digital marketing https://www.who.int/europe/multi-media/item/space-invaders-young-people-s-views-about-alcohol-digital-marketing
• A SAFER European Region free from harm due to alcohol https://www.who.int/europe/multi-media/item/a-safer-european-region-free-from-harm-due-to-alcohol
• European framework for action on alcohol 2022–2025 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/361662