Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine Project: A Glance

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its prevalence continues to rise. Traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can have significant side effects, and they may not be effective for all patients. The field of personalized medicine has the potential to revolutionize cancer prevention and treatment by tailoring therapies to an individual patient’s specific genetic and molecular profile.

Despite the potential benefits of personalized medicine for cancer, there are still significant challenges to its widespread implementation. One of these challenges is the lack of alignment between policies in different regions of the world. To address this issue, the Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (IC2PerMed) consortium, of which the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is a partner, has developed a common roadmap for personalized medicine for cancer to foster common approaches between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union (EU) on personalized medicine research, development, innovation, and policies.

The IC2PerMed consortium is an EU initiative that aims to promote the implementation of personalized medicine in prevention and care. The consortium brings together organizations, researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to work towards a common goal of improving patients’ outcomes.

The IC2PerMed consortium’s roadmap for personalized medicine for cancer has been finalized and is being presented at a series of events, including WFPHA webinars, a dedicated workshop at the 17th World Congress on Public Health, and a high-level symposium held in Geneva, Switzerland, in conjunction with the World Health Assembly.

The high-level symposium brings together high-level policymakers, scientists, and Chief Executive Officers from international health-related organizations to discuss the importance of personalized medicine for cancer and beyond and the need for international collaboration to promote its implementation. The meeting also provides an opportunity to showcase the work of the IC2PerMed consortium.

WFPHA Launches Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Initiative to Achieve Oral Health Equity

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) has launched a new global oral health initiative aimed at improving oral health equity among maternal and child population. The initiative, announced on May 4, 2023, during the 17th World Congress on Public Health, calls for action by health professionals and policymakers to improve maternal and child oral health by integrating oral health care into the existing and future antenatal health system for women in pre-pregnancy (preconception), pregnancy, and post-pregnancy stage of life.

“Oral health is essential to overall health for all, and women are the key change agents in achieving oral health for children, families, and communities. Therefore, oral health must be positioned as an integral part of primary and antenatal health, focused on prevention. The new norm needs to be a caries-free mouth”, says Dr Hyewon Lee, the Chair of the WFPHA Oral Health Working Group and promotor of this initiative.

The initiative comes at a time when oral health care for women and children is increasingly challenging, especially in communities with limited resources and a lack of health care systems. The cost of care, lack of oral health literacy, and limited access to dental facilities and dental workforce availability are some of the main barriers. In addition to those biological links between a mother’s oral health and the oral health of her child, what matters the most is to create a system of health care and health promotion for mothers and children to achieve oral health and oral health equity. When children grow in an environment with adequate family and community support that promote a proactive attitude towards oral health, their overall health, wellbeing, and development thrives.

“Women, as the primary caregivers to children, have a great influence on their development. With the right empowerment tools, women have the potential to play a positive role in yielding desirable oral health outcomes” adds Dr Khabiso Ramphona, a specialist in community dentistry at the University of the Western Cape and the Chair of the Public Health Association of South Africa, Dental Public Health Special Interest Group.

The WFPHA supports the World Health Organization’s universal health coverage that includes oral health care and calls on all member associations to advocate for timely, affordable, and adequate access to essential oral health care services for women of childbearing age and children. This initiative, recently endorsed by about 30 international and national health organizations, will enhance the global oral health momentum by creating collaborative efforts in integrating oral health into maternal and child health agendas from policy to practice levels. Our message is clear: We believe women are the key change agents to secure and improve the oral health of children, families, and communities.

Meeting Our New Members

On May 2, 2023, during the General Assembly of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, member organizations welcomed 5 new members: the Emirates Public Health Association, the College of Public Health Malaysia, the Somaliland Public Health and Research Organization, the Argentine Association of Public Health, and the Dominican Society of Public Health.

We look forward to working together towards our shared goals of protecting and promoting health and wellbeing worldwide.

Dr Annapaola Rizzoli’s Speech at the WFPHA Awards Ceremony 2023

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) recognizes outstanding contributions to public health through its annual awards program. The program aims to acknowledge and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant achievements in promoting health, preventing diseases and injuries, and ensuring safe and healthy conditions for people around the world.

This year, the WFPHA presents a series of awards during the 17th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH), held in Rome, Italy, on May 02 to 06, 2023.

One of the recipients of this year’s awards was the One Health Commission, which received the Climate and Health Action Award. This organization has done remarkable work in addressing the presence of climate change as an imminent public health threat. Dr Annapaola Rizzoli from the Research and Innovation Center of the Edmund Mach Foundation, the first One Health center in Italy, received the award.

Dr Annapaola Rizzoli, speaking on behalf of Dr Cheryl Stroud, the Executive Director of the One Health Commission, expressed immense gratitude for the honor and highlighted the organization’s commitment to promoting the One Health approach. The speech shed light on the significance of climate change and the urgent need to implement One Health thinking across disciplines.

Dr Rizzoli’s speech is available to read here.

Prof. Ulrich Laaser’s Inspiring Speech at the WFPHA Awards Ceremony 2023

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) recognizes outstanding contributions to public health through its annual awards program. The program aims to acknowledge and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant achievements in promoting health, preventing diseases and injuries, and ensuring safe and healthy conditions for people around the world.

This year, the WFPHA presents a series of awards during the 17th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH), held in Rome, Italy, on May 02 to 06, 2023.

One of the recipients of this year’s awards was Prof. Ulrich Laaser, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Global Health. Prof. Laaser’s speech during the award ceremony was a captivating and inspirational moment, encapsulating his lifetime of dedication to global health and social justice. His words served as a reminder of the urgent need to work collaboratively, embrace equity, and address the pressing challenges facing our planet. As the public health community moves forward, Prof. Laaser’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations to strive for a healthier and more equitable world.

Prof. Laaser’s speech is available to read here.

Insights from the 3rd International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference

The 3rd International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference takes place in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, on June 14–16, 2023.

Emma Rawson, Vice-President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), attended this conference as chair and speaker of several sessions. Speaking on the “Knowledge Translation: What, Where, How, and Why We Share Impactful Research Findings?” session, Emma emphasized the importance of effectively disseminating research to benefit Indigenous communities. She highlighted the need for culturally sensitive sharing, collaboration with communities, and evidence-based policy development. Emma’s passionate address left a lasting impact on attendees, fostering a renewed commitment to Indigenous health and wellbeing worldwide.

Lowitja Institute’s International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference is a biennial event attracting a global audience committed to sharing knowledge for the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples and communities.