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.

Looking Back at COP28: Putting Public Health First in Climate Action

As COP28 came to a close, it became clearer the importance of focusing on public health to deal effectively with the climate crisis.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) played an important role at the COP28 Health Pavilion, leading talks to create a sustainable future that prioritizes the well-being of our planet and its people.

Let’s take a quick look back at some important moments from COP28 where key discussions happened about how climate and health are connected.

Embracing a Just Transition: Considering Health in Sustainability

One standout event during COP28 was the discussion on #JustTransition. Diverse voices came together to explore how health considerations could seamlessly fit into our journey toward a sustainable future.

At the event ‘Accelerating a Just Transition for Healthy People and a Healthy Planet,’ Hannah Marcus, Co-Chair of the Environmental Health Working Group at the WFPHA, discussed strategies for a smooth transition to a sustainable future, emphasizing the crucial role of both environmental and public health.

Marcus highlighted the importance of prioritizing public health within the broader context of global climate talks.

Confidence as a Catalyst: Driving Innovation for Change

Amidst the numerous insights shared at COP28, one particularly stood out, resonating with the essence of transformative change. Johan Rockström, Director at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK, a notable voice at the conference, emphasized, “For real innovation to occur, we need to have confidence. Just as the Earth’s systems have tipping points, so do social systems; that is, when enough people have confidence in something new, a tipping point is passed and transformation becomes possible.”

That statement underscores that transformative change becomes achievable when a critical mass believes in something new. It served as a guiding principle, emphasizing confidence’s role in steering innovation towards sustainable solutions.

Insights from the Ground: Hannah Marcus’s Updates

Hannah Marcus kept us in the loop with live updates from COP28. From discussions on prioritizing environmental health to active participation in the Climate Mobility Pavilion youth forum, organized by the International Organization for Migration and the Global Centre for Climate Mobility, she provided real-time insights into the vital conversations shaping the conference.

Networking for Impact: Collaborative Efforts in Focus

Hannah Marcus’s interaction with global health leader DrMariaNeira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change, and Health, showcased the collaborative spirit needed to address the intersection of global health and climate action.

WFPHA supports the move away from fossil fuels but urges faster and more ambitious action soon. As we reflect on COP28, the resounding message is clear: public health must play a central role in the global climate agenda.

Join us in revisiting Hannah Marcus’s journey through this pivotal conference, where the well-being of our planet and its people took the spotlight.

A Pioneering Step Towards Planetary Health: WFPHA Signs the Manifesto

In a significant move towards addressing the urgent challenges posed by Planetary Health, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) proudly announces its commitment by signing the manifesto on the Declaration of Planetary Health. This pivotal declaration, signed by numerous academic health institutions, underscores the Code Red emergency our planet faces and advocates for immediate action in education, research, and the transformation of health systems.

Key Points:

Understanding the Emergency: The Code Red warning highlights the severity of the planetary health crisis, and the WFPHA acknowledges the need for swift and comprehensive action.

WFPHA’s Pledge: By signing the manifesto, the WFPHA commits to playing a central role in addressing the global planetary health emergency, advocating for education and research to build a sustainable future.

Climate-Resilient Health Systems: The manifesto emphasizes transitioning to climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems, recognizing the vital connection between environmental health and well-being.

Endorsement of Healthy Climate Prescription: The WFPHA aligns itself with the Healthy Climate Prescription, an initiative by the Global Climate and Health Alliance and the World Health Organization, calling for urgent actions such as updating national climate commitments, a just transition away from fossil fuels, and equitable distribution of resources.

Call to Action: The WFPHA encourages its members and the global public health community to unite in addressing the planetary health emergency through education, research, and transformative action. Additionally, the endorsement of the Healthy Climate Prescription amplifies the call for concrete measures to combat climate change.

Conclusion: The signing of the manifesto and endorsement of the Healthy Climate Prescription mark historic moments, signaling the WFPHA’s dedication to a future where planetary health and human well-being are inseparable. The commitment reflects a collective effort towards a healthier, sustainable, and just world, with a clear roadmap for climate action.

Unmasking Big Tobacco: Seven Deceptive Tactics Revealed

The tobacco industry has employed sophisticated and deceptive strategies to influence public opinion and disrupt health policies for decades. Despite overwhelming evidence of the deadly effects of tobacco products, the industry remains profitable, contributing to over 8 million tobacco-related deaths annually.

In a comprehensive review, the Tobacco Control Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) has identified seven key tactics employed by the tobacco industry, revealing the industry’s pervasive influence across scientific research, politics, law, sport, education, and the media.

Understanding these tactics is crucial for effective tobacco control measures. Recommendations include comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, health warnings, vigilance against industry front groups, education, and advocacy. Transparency in academic journals, compliance with FCTC Article 5.3, exposure of political lobbying, strict regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), prioritizing data over propaganda in the ‘harm reduction’ debate, aligning policies with FCTC, and legal action against Big Tobacco are vital steps. Health professionals and the public must be informed to collectively combat the industry’s tactics, reducing global tobacco consumption and preventing related illnesses and deaths.

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.

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.