HPV Awareness Day: WFPHA Advances Global Efforts to Eradicate Cervical Cancer

The launch of the Global HPV Consortium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 2023, stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of global health. Led by the Sabin Vaccine Institute and with active involvement from the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), represented by its Executive Manager, Dr. Marta Lomazzi, this event signifies a key advancement in the battle against cervical cancer.

Aligned with the World Health Organization‘s (WHO) Immunization Agenda 2030 and Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, the Consortium serves as a collaborative platform uniting public and private stakeholders worldwide. Its primary mission is to expedite the prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) transmission and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

Cervical cancer remains a global health challenge, claiming the lives of approximately 350,000 women annually, with over 600,000 affected each year. This largely preventable disease disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries, where access to screening and treatment resources is limited. Without intervention, cervical cancer cases are projected to surge by almost 50% by 2040.

Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine for 17 years, its uptake remains low, exacerbated by the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the urgent need for action, the Consortium has galvanized diverse stakeholders from various sectors, including vaccination, cancer control, non-communicable diseases, HIV, reproductive and adolescent health, gender equity, and women’s empowerment.

Looking forward, on June 23rd, 2024, the WFPHA’s Immunization Taskforce convened a webinar on “Shaping the Future of Public Health Sustainable Investments.” This event brought together global experts to showcase tangible examples of efficient and effective health investments, including the transformative potential of gene therapy and the analysis of the return on investment for HPV immunization in low and middle-income countries. Insights into Costa Rica’s immunization model and the PAHO revolving fund were also shared.

The WFPHA is committed to supporting the Global HPV Consortium’s endeavors and anticipates collaborative initiatives aimed at preventing HPV transmission and eradicating cervical cancer. Together, we can stride towards a future where cervical cancer ceases to be a threat to public health.

GPHW2024: Strengthening Global Governance for Existential Threats

Theme: Enhancing and Democratizing Governance in Global Health

Date and Time: 09 April 2024 | 11:00 – 12:00 GMT- summer time

Event Description: A High-Level Meeting convened by the InterAction Council and One Young World at the House of Lords in London on January 9, 2024, aimed to strengthen global governance for existential threats. The meeting focused on creating an intergenerational Global Security Council for Existential Threats responsible for strategy and action planning.

Bertie Ahern, Co-chair of the InterAction Council, emphasized the urgent need for young leaders’ involvement in addressing existential threats. Ella Robertson McKay, Managing Director of One Young World, co-chaired the meeting, highlighting the recent establishment of the Global Youth Security Council for Existential Threats.

Follow-up actions will be discussed at the upcoming InterAction Council plenary in spring 2024, with plans to host in China. These actions include convening the first intergenerational meeting of the Global Security Council and organizing High-Level Expert Meetings to develop a coordinated strategy. Partners are collaborating on advocacy campaigns and a digital platform for Planet, People, and Peace.

Dr. Jo Nurse, advisor to the InterAction Council, invites further collaboration, emphasizing that everyone can contribute to creating secure, sustainable communities for a better future.

Event Link: Strengthening Global Governance to Prevent Threats and Reduce Risks to Human Existence

Event Type: Seminar/Webinar

Event Format: online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): Dr. Jo Nurse

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom link

Registration: Zoom link

GPHW2024: Gobernanza en Salud Global: Fundamentos, Aspectos éticos y una mirada regional

Tema: Repensar los paradigmas de la salud pública

Fecha y Hora : 08 Abril 2024 | 19:00 – 20:00 (GMT-5)

Descripción del Evento: Se va a realizar un webinario sobre gobernanza en salud global en el cual participarán tres miembros de la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de Salud Pública que abordarán los Fundamentos de la gobernanza en salud global, sus aspectos éticos y una mirada regional.

El evento será transmitido por las redes sociales de la SESP (Facebook live) a los miembros de la Sociedad y público en general que esté interesado en la gobernanza global de salud

El webinario tendrá duración de una hora y cada participante tendrá 15 minutos para sus presentaciones luego de lo cual habrán 15 minutos de reflexiones finales y preguntas de los asistentes virtuales.

Participantes:

• Dr Marco Herrera. MD, MSc, PhD(c), Presidente de la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de la Salud Pública (SESP)
• Dr Francisco Rosero MD, MSc, MSc, Esp, PhD(c), Coordinador de la Comisión Científica de la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de la Salud Pública (SESP)
• Dr Richar Rodríguez Vet, MSc, PhD, Miembro de la Comisión Científica de la Sociedad Ecuatoriana de la Salud Pública (SESP)
• MODERADOR: Magíster Darwin Luna OD. MSc. Esp.

Tipo de Evento: Seminario/Webinar

Formato del Evento: en línea

Idioma(s): Español

Organizador: Sociedad Ecuatoriana de Salud Pública SESP

Como Atender Virtualmente: www.sesp-ec.com (Facebook live)

Registro: N/A

WFPHA joins call for WHO action on Climate Change Obligations before International Court

WFPHA has joined forces with other international organizations to sign a letter addressed to Dr. Tedros, encouraging the continuation of WHO’s leadership role in addressing climate change.

The letter is addressed to Dr. Tedros, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), urging WHO’s involvement in providing information to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding States’ legal obligations concerning climate change. It highlights the importance of climate change as a public health concern and emphasizes WHO’s historical advocacy for the right to health. The letter proposes key points for inclusion in WHO’s submission to the ICJ, such as the health impacts of climate change, human rights obligations, and the importance of international cooperation. It also mentions support from external legal experts and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Finally, it requests Dr. Tedros’ leadership and support in this endeavor.

Investing in Health System Resilience: Strategies for Preparedness and Response Capacity Enhancement

WFPHA’s Executive Manager Marta Lomazzi, Daniel O. Okyere, Katya Peri, and Michael Moore have published an article titled “Investing in Health System Resilience: A Scoping Review to Identify Strategies for Enhancing Preparedness and Response Capacity” in Population Medicine.

Introduction

 In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, the importance of resilient health systems has become increasingly clear.

Although investing in health system resilience has gained attention from policymakers and researchers worldwide, it remains a relatively new concept in the healthcare field.

By strengthening the foundations of healthcare systems, resilience can be enhanced, improving preparedness and response to disasters. Investing in resilience not only fosters long-term socioeconomic growth but also ensures national security and promotes collective global health security. This scoping review aims to identify key strategies for investing in health system resilience.

Methods

A scoping review searched PubMed and Google Scholar for health system resilience literature from March 2020 to March 2023. English articles, including original studies, reviews, and reports, were considered. Thematic areas were identified through a narrative summary.

Results

Of 940 records, 43 met the inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged: preventive care, governance, resource mobilization, collaboration, research prioritization, and workforce sustainability.

Conclusions

The study underscores the importance of coalition-building, data visibility, political commitment, and government leadership.

These investments strengthen healthcare systems’ ability to respond to crises, ensuring public health protection and socioeconomic development. Investing in these areas builds resilient health systems and promotes population well-being.

Call for Submission: Casebook on Advocacy in Public Health, Volume 2

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is calling for submissions for the second volume of the Casebook on Advocacy in Public Health.

In 2021, the WFPHA published the free-access Casebook on Advocacy in Public Health to emphasize the importance of advocacy as an Essential Public Health Function by compiling 18 cases of public health advocacy from different corners of the world.

The Casebook, now in its second volume, is collecting new experiences describing advocacy efforts from around the world in order to continue assisting national public health associations and other actors to improve their capacity of influence on public health policies.

We are looking forward to receiving contributions from individuals, teams, and/or organizations such as the national associations of public health or other non-governmental organizations. Cases could involve the participation of people from diverse disciplines and professions, such as decision-makers, public health practitioners, other professionals, scholars, or consumers. We strongly encourage authors to include actions from low- and middle-income countries from all regions of the world.

The Casebook will be published by the WFPHA, and its registration and edition will be funded by the Global Health Research Group at the University Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH), Alicante, Spain.

To contribute to this Casebook, please click below to review the guidelines for authors and submit your case by March 31, 2024, 23:59 GMT.