Announcing Professor Ulrich Laaser as the New Chair of the WFPHA Advisory Board

We are thrilled to introduce Professor Ulrich Laaser as the new Chair of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Advisory Board. His profound experience and unwavering commitment to public health make him an invaluable asset to our organization.

Born in 1941 in Königswusterhausen near Berlin, Professor Laaser has a distinguished academic and professional background. He holds a Venia Legendi for Epidemiology in Internal Medicine from the Medical Faculty of Cologne (1980) and became an external professor in 1987. His academic career flourished at the University of Bielefeld, Germany, where he served in the Faculty of Sociology (1989) and Health Sciences (1994). Notably, he was the principal investigator of the Stability Pact Project on Public Health Training and Research in South Eastern Europe from 2001 to 2010.

Professor Laaser’s influence extends beyond Germany. In 2004, he was appointed as a visiting professor at the School of Public Health in Belgrade and as an honorary professor at universities in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Tirana, Albania. His leadership roles include presidencies at the German Association for Health Sciences and Public Health (1997-2001), the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER, 1993-1995), and the WFPHA (2010-2012). He continues to serve on the Honours Committee of ASPHER and the Advisory Board of WFPHA. Additionally, he co-edits the book series on International Public Health, published by Hans Jacobs Publishing House and the South Eastern European Journal of Public Health.

Professor Laaser’s academic credentials are complemented by degrees from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, 1969) and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Master of Public Health, 1970). His accolades include the German Hufeland Price (1979), the Andrija Stampar Medal from ASPHER (2008), and the WFPHA Lifetime Achievement for Excellence in Global Health Award (2023).

Over the past two decades, Professor Laaser has been instrumental in numerous public health projects across South Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, West Africa, the Pacific Region, and the One Health Commission. His vast expertise and commitment to improving global health make him the ideal candidate for this role.

We extend a warm welcome to Professor Laaser in his new role and eagerly anticipate his significant contributions to WFPHA. His leadership will undoubtedly steer us towards greater achievements in public health on a global scale.

The Importance of Maternal Oral Health for Mothers and Children

Maintaining good oral health for mothers is crucial for their own well-being and their children’s health. A mother’s oral health, knowledge, literacy, attitudes, behaviors, and socioeconomic status significantly impact her children’s health and significantly prevent childhood caries. Understanding and addressing these facts can improve health outcomes for both mothers and their children.

The Role of Oral Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a pivotal time for oral health interventions. Ensuring proper oral health during this period is vital, as untreated dental caries in mothers can increase their children’s risk of dental caries. It’s a prime time to encourage expecting mothers to adopt healthier oral hygiene practices. Regular dental visits during pregnancy are essential to prevent future dental issues for both mother and child.

Enhancing Oral Health Literacy

Oral health literacy is a powerful tool in the hands of mothers. It empowers them to make informed decisions about dental care.  Mothers with higher oral health literacy are more likely to maintain good oral hygiene practices and understand the significance of dental health during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should prioritize educational initiatives to boost oral health literacy in expecting mothers.

Addressing Socioeconomic Factors

A mother’s socioeconomic status significantly affects her oral health. Those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often encounter significant barriers to accessing dental care, including cost, lack of knowledge, and limited availability of dental services. Overcoming these challenges is essential to improving mothers’ and their children’s oral health outcomes.

Pregnancy Dental Care: Overcoming Barriers

Many pregnant women don’t seek or can’t access dental care despite its importance. This issue spans high and low- to middle-income countries. In the U.S., only 40% of mothers receive dental cleanings during pregnancy, with notable racial disparities. Dental professionals must be prepared and confident in providing necessary care to pregnant patients, following up-to-date guidelines and evidence-based practices. 

Promoting Oral Health Equity

To achieve oral health equity, we must create healthcare systems that support mothers and children. This involves integrating oral health into primary and prenatal healthcare systems and ensuring all communities access necessary dental care resources. Encouraging environments that support proactive oral health attitudes can significantly improve children’s overall health and development.

Maternal Oral Health: Key to a Healthy Future for Mothers and Children

Maternal oral health is a foundational element of maternal and child well-being. By focusing on oral health during pregnancy, enhancing oral health literacy, addressing socioeconomic barriers, overcoming challenges in accessing pregnancy dental care, and promoting oral health equity, we can create healthier futures for mothers and their children. Health professionals and policymakers must prioritize integrating oral health care into prenatal health systems to achieve these objectives. 

Understanding and addressing the critical aspects of maternal oral health can ensure better health outcomes for mothers and their children. Let’s work together to create a future where good oral health is a standard for all. 

This is a summary from the original Federation’s Pages, “Oral health is an integral part of maternal and child health,” published on 25 June 2024. Read it in full here.

Original authors

Hyewon Lee, DrPH, DMD, is a director at the Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Center at the Seoul National University Dental Research Institute and School of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea, and the chair of the Oral Health Workgroup of the World Federation of Public Health Association, Geneva Switzerland.

Khabiso J. Ramphoma, B.Ch.D, M.Ch.D, is a senior lecturer and specialist in Community Dentistry at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

Alice M. Horowitz, PhD, MA, RDH, is a research professor at the School of Public Health University of Maryland, Maryland, United States.

Deborah Walker, EdD, is an adjunct professor at Boston University and Tufts University, Boston, USA, and the Women, Children, and Youth Working Group Chair at the World Federation of Public Health Association, Geneva, Switzerland.

Webinar: Enhancing Vaccination Data Collection for Healthcare Workers in LICs and LMICs

Date: 26th June 2024 | 10:00 – 11:00 CEST

This webinar addresses the critical need to gather comprehensive vaccination data on healthcare workers in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. This session will explore effective approaches to ensure that accurate and up-to-date vaccination records for health professionals are developed and maintained, highlighting the challenges and solutions in data collection processes. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of data for safeguarding healthcare workers against preventable diseases, supporting public health decisions, and enhancing overall workforce resilience in these regions.

Confirmed speakers:

Chief Dominique Kondji Kondji. President, Cameroon Public Health Association

Prof. Mohamed-Ridha Barbouche. Immunologist and expert of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).

Dr. Dragoslav Popovic, President, Serbian Public Health Association

Ms. Danya Arif Siddiqi, Deputy Director of the Maternal and Child Health Program, IRD Global

Chairperson: Dr. Marta Lomazzi. Executive Manager, WFPHA

If you would like to share your country’s or organization’s experience of enhancing vaccination data collection for healthcare workers in LICs and LMICs, or if you have any questions for the speakers, please contact secretariat@wfpha.org.

Webinar: L’importance de la vaccination HPV neutre de genre- Afrique francophone

Date: 24th Juin 2024 | 13:30-15:30 CEST

La vaccination contre le papillomavirus neutre de genre est essentielle pour protéger les communautés, arrêter la transmission du virus et réduire la stigmatisation associée à la maladie causée par le papillomavirus. La Fédération mondiale des associations de santé publique a mis au point une série complète de six sessions de formation en ligne, spécialement conçues pour répondre au contexte et aux défis spécifiques des différentes régions du monde. Ces cours sont conçus pour être interactifs, encourageant les participants à partager leurs expériences et leurs points de vue.

La deuxième session de cette série sera dédiée à l’Afrique francophone, avec un focus particulier sur des études de cas issues de pays tels que le Cameroun et le Tchad. Les intervenants expliqueront si et comment ils ont réussi à mettre en œuvre la vaccination neutre de genre contre le HPV et partageront leurs expériences en matière de mobilisation des gouvernements, des partenaires nationaux et internationaux et des communautés. Ce partage de connaissances vise à permettre aux professionnels d’autres pays africains de suivre cette voie et de pladoyer en faveur de la mise en œuvre de la vaccination contre le papillomavirus pour les filles et les garçons dans leur pays.

Orateurs confirmés:

Chief Dominique Kondji Kondji.Président de l’Association Camerounaise de Santé Publique

M. Lazare Komandegal. Président de l’Association Tchadienne de Santé Publique

La session sera présidée par Dr. Marta Lomazzi, Directrice exécutive de la Federation mondiale des associations de santé publique, et elle se déroulera en français.

Si vous souhaitez partager l’expérience de votre pays ou de votre organisation en matière de vaccination anti-HPV sans distinction de sexe, ou si vous avez des questions à poser aux intervenants, n’hésitez pas à écrire à secretariat@wfpha.org. 

3rd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel

The 3rd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on a Science-Policy Panel is currently underway. Uniting experts and stakeholders globally, this event aims to develop strategies to manage chemicals and waste better and prevent pollution. This crucial gathering seeks to establish a new panel with influence and visibility comparable to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

In their opening speeches, key figures from the UNEP, the WHO, and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment underscored the importance of a science-policy panel to tackle environmental health challenges. They highlighted the need for a strategic, multidisciplinary approach that leverages science and innovation to combat the global impacts of chemicals, waste, and pollution, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Prof. Andrea Rother, co-chair of the WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group, represents the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) at this significant event. Prof. Rother brings extensive knowledge and dedication to environmental health, ensuring public health perspectives are integral to the science-policy discussions.

This meeting marks a pivotal step toward creating a robust science-policy interface that will guide effective policies and actions in chemicals and waste management on a global scale. The outcomes of this session are expected to shape future initiatives, providing a comprehensive framework for countries and organizations committed to environmental health and sustainability.