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.

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.

Urgent Appeal: WFPHA Addresses WHO Executive Board on Health Conditions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) congratulates the initiative of the World Health Organization Executive Board to hold a Special Session on the health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory. As an entity that represents 130 national associations and more than 5 million health practitioners around the globe, the WFPHA joins with UN and WHO leaders’ voices expresses deep concerns about the situation, echoing the voices of UN and WHO leaders.

Urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, the WFPHA emphasizes the need for a peace process to safeguard the well-being of health professionals and the civilian population in the region.

Strengthening Global Public Health Resilience: WHO Roadmap & Action Plan for the Public Health and Emergency Workforce

The recent challenges posed by many emergencies, from natural and man-made disasters to the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the critical importance of a robust and resilient public health workforce. In response to the pressing need for a coordinated and skilled workforce, the World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap and action plan for training and securing the Public Health and Emergency Workforce. This initiative revisits the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs),  addresses the structure of the global public health workforce, and emphasizes the need for an appropriately trained and resilient public health workforce in addressing public health needs, those considered core public health activities a critical to the health of everyone but less obvious and visible.

Conceptualization of the Roadmap:

The Roadmap’s genesis can be traced back to the G20 Italy Declaration in October 2021, followed by an expert consultation in January 2022. The Roadmap and Action Plan were officially published in May 2022, with the establishment of the Roadmap Taskforce, coinciding with other global initiatives and meetings such as the G7 Berlin Pact for Readiness, and the launch of the Pandemic Fund in November 2022. Noteworthy events in 2023 include the G7 Japan Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the 3rd Roadmap Taskforce Steering Committee Meeting in July.

Vision & Purpose:

The Roadmap vision is to strengthen the public health workforce in every country, and includes three Action Areas (AAs):

AA1: Operationalizing the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs) – an integrated and comprehensive approach to public health

• Identifying and defining the EPHFs & services and their enablers
• Updating and expanding the EPHFs, and adding subfunctions
• This strategic review was achieved through a worldwide expert consultation process.

AA2: Competency and outcomes framework towards the delivery of the Essential Public Health Functions

• Identifying the tasks the public health workforce performs, both regularly as all or part of usual work, and during emergencies
• Mapping the academic and practical training the workforce needs to accomplish these tasks
• Developing a framework for competency-based education.

There are two major sections about competence, personal and practical:

1. Competencies for individual public health and emergency workers towards the EPHFs; and
2. Practice activities towards Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs)

This was achieved through a major systematic literature review and content analysis mapping process, refined through an expert review of international experts. Future work involves strengthening institutional processes for updating curricula to ensure appropriate workforce capacities.

AA3: Technical guidance for mapping and measurement of occupations that contribute to the delivery of the essential public health functions including emergency preparedness and response

• Mapping & Measurement of Occupations by developing a standardized approach for occupation mapping.
• Discussions about the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) revisions.

Again, this was achieved through an international consultation process. The mapping tools and processes have been piloted in seven countries.

Way Forward:

The roadmap sets clearly defined targets for the five-year period from 2022 to 2027, emphasizing a systematic and progressive approach to achieving its goals.

WHO is seeking countries to use at least one of these tools, hoping to enroll 100 before July 2024. The process for becoming involved is not complex and can be found on the Roadmap website (address below).

Reflection & Summary:

In conclusion, the Roadmap responds to the pressing need for a skilled public health workforce, highlighted by the recent pandemic and other recent emergencies.

By paving the way for competent personnel adapted to individual contexts, it aims to create resilient health systems and foster public trust. For those interested in further resources the relevant documents are available in draft form, the final versions to be available early in 2024.

Urgent Global Health Appeal to COP28: Accelerate Fossil Fuel Phase-Out for Public Well-being

On the occasion of the first ever health day at COP, an open letter from health professionals around the world urges the COP28 presidency and world leadership for a commitment to an expedited phase-out of fossil fuels and an investment in a renewable energy transition to ensure the health of all.

#FossilFree4Health #COP28HealthLetter

The letter, supported by organizations representing 46.3 million health professionals, emphasizes the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels, invest in clean energy technology, and reduce air pollution to protect public health.

The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis that threatens the fundamentals of human life. The World Health Organization recognizes climate change as the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century, emphasizing the inseparable connection between a safe and stable climate and achieving health and well-being for all. Communities, health workers, and health systems worldwide are already experiencing the severe impacts of climate change, with extreme weather events, food and water insecurity, and displacement becoming more frequent and devastating.

One of the major drivers of climate change and air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuel combustion, particularly diesel and coal, is responsible for millions of deaths annually due to air pollution. Despite its well-documented consequences, 99% of the world’s population lives in areas where air quality breaches the World Health Organization’s guidelines, and air pollution’s economic costs are staggering, totaling over $8.1 trillion in 2019.

Beyond air pollution, toxic discharges from downstream fossil fuel industries like petrochemicals, plastics, and pesticides also pose severe health and environmental risks. Communities near these facilities suffer from adverse health impacts, including cancer, endocrine disorders, and birth defects. 

The key highlights of the letter include the call to end our dependence on fossil fuels to safeguard future generations and save lives, the importance of a rapid transition to clean energy for clean air, water, and a healthy environment, and the rejection of unreliable solutions like Carbon Capture and Storage in favor of renewable energy. It also underscores the need for a just energy transition that prioritizes health and community well-being, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and preventing the fossil fuel industry from influencing climate negotiations. It categorically states that without ambitious climate action, healthcare systems and workers will bear insurmountable burdens, undermining prospects for a safe, fair, and just future in the face of climate change.