Youth in Public Health: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Opportunities

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Young WFPHA working group wraps up 2023 with a reflection on the youth’s role in shaping the future of public health. Through initiatives like Young WFPHA, UNICEF’s Voices of Youth, and the WHO’s Youth Council, the youth amplifies its voices in addressing current crises.

Despite existing healthcare challenges, opportunities arise for the next generation. Digital health, featuring transformative technologies like telehealth and wearables, opens innovative pathways. Recognizing the imperative of expanding healthcare to vulnerable populations, the Young WFPHA emphasizes health equity.

Advocating for a holistic approach to global health, the Young WFPHA underscores the importance of collective solidarity. As future public health leaders, their commitment extends beyond classrooms, standing against climate challenges, crises, and disparities.

WFPHA participation at the 154th Session of the WHO Executive Board

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) participated at the 154th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, held from January 22 to January 27, 2024  at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This annual gathering brought together 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms, serving a crucial role in implementing the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and advising on matters integral to global health governance.

As WFPHA actively participated in global health discussions, the urgent call for addressing the nexus of global health and peace remained at the forefront. The challenges posed by conflicts demand immediate attention, and the commitment to ensuring access to healthcare for all is pivotal in preventing further crises on a global scale.

WFPHA’s statement on Peace and Conflict

The WFPHA’s statement focused on the urgent need to address the complex intersection of global health and peace, emphasizing the dire consequences of conflict on public health. The statement highlighted the devastating conditions prevalent in areas of conflict, including starvation, dehydration, neglected vulnerable patients, and the widespread propagation of infections – all of which create an environment conducive to new pandemics.

Wars are never necessary: Gaza is the best example

In a recent publication, The Lancet delivers a powerful message against the perceived justification of war, using the ongoing conflict in Gaza as a poignant example. The article challenges the notion of a “necessary war” and calls for global advocacy in defense of life.

Over two months into the conflict, no resolution has been achieved, and persistent challenges endure. The toll on lives lost and survivors facing enduring hardships is immeasurable. The billions spent on destructive endeavors could have been redirected to save lives, nourish and immunize communities, aid the malnourished, establish equitable systems, and supply essential medicines to regions worldwide.

For the authors, WFPHA President Prof. Luis Eugenio De Souza, Paulo Buss and Santiago Alcázar, appeal continues: stop the war and the bloodshed and let health act in the recovery of the injured and those affected mentally and physically.

Urgent Humanitarian Appeal: Health Crisis for Hostages in Gaza

100 days have passed since the October 7th massacre. This surprising assault resulted in the kidnapping of more than 240 Israeli and foreign citizens from their homes and a party in southern Israel with an additional 1,200 murdered. In response, the Israel Defense Forces initiated a substantial counterattack, an operation that persists, leaving a landscape of devastation and despair and nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe.

The health of hostages in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly, facing life-threatening risks each day. Many endure complex medical conditions, injuries, and profound mental trauma, requiring specialized care.

As each day passes, the health and lives of all hostages are seriously endangered. The release of hostages is an essential step toward alleviating the suffering and building the foundation for lasting peace.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations endorses the letter from laureates of the Nobel Prize to urgently call for their immediate release to ensure basic human rights and provide essential medical and psychological support. Time is of the essence, and every day in captivity further endangers their lives.

Empowering Youth Voices in Public Health: Duha Shellah Joins WHO EMR Youth Council

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) proudly announces the acceptance of Duha Shellah as its representative to the esteemed World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) Youth Council. This appointment reflects a shared commitment to amplifying youth voices and fostering meaningful engagement in shaping the future of global health.

At the heart of this initiative is the belief that the perspectives and contributions of young individuals should be central to decisions impacting global health. WHO EMRO’s establishment of a regional youth council within the EMR aims to empower young leaders like Duha Shellah to play a pivotal role in influencing public health policies, not just in the region but on a global scale.

The WHO EMR Youth Council serves as a dynamic platform for harnessing the innovative ideas, experiences, and expertise of young leaders. The goal is to strengthen their involvement in policy-making processes and elevate their status as key contributors to public health systems. This initiative aligns with WFPHA’s broader mission to promote inclusivity and youth engagement in global health advocacy.

Duha Shellah’s representation in the WHO EMR Youth Council is a testament to the WFPHA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in public health. As a representative, Duha will bring a wealth of insights, advocating for policies that address the diverse needs of the population.

The collaborative efforts between WFPHA and WHO exemplify a shared vision for a future where youth voices are not only heard but are instrumental in shaping the direction of public health initiatives. This appointment is a beacon of youth leadership, showcasing the vital role young individuals play in influencing and advancing global health agendas.