scholarly journals Health 2020 – Achieving Health and Development in Today’s Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Jakab ◽  
Agis D. Tsouros
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Strategic Vision ◽  
Public Health Challenges ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Century Health

AIM: To present contemporary major public health challenges and comprehensive policy framework and strategic vision of the "Health 2020" for improving population health and well-being in Europe.METHODS: Retrospective study based on the available indicators of the health status of the population in Europe, social determinants of health and health-related behavior, health systems and public health services, and analysis of the WHO policy documents, reports and commitments leading to the new coherent approach and strategic vision "Health 2020".RESULTS: The 21st-century health landscape is shaped by growing global, regional and local interdependence and an increasingly complex array of interlinking factors that influence health and well-being. Most of today’s major public health challenges, including non communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health inequalities and the health effects of austerity measures in some countries, cannot be addressed effectively without inter sectoral and coordinated action at supranational, national and local levels. The 53 countries of the WHO European Region developed and adopted a European policy framework and strategy for the 21st century (Health 2020) as a common, evidence-informed policy framework to support and encourage coordinated action by policy-makers at all levels and in all sectors to improve population health and well-being.CONCLUSION: This article presents the development process of Health 2020 and its main strategic goals, objectives and content. Further, it describes what is needed to successfully implement Health 2020 in countries and how WHO can provide technical assistance to countries that embark on developing health policy aligned with the Health 2020 policy framework. The development and implementation of Health 2020 is a powerful vehicle for concerted inter-sectoral action across the WHO European Region for improving health and well-being of present and future generations. Successful implementation of Health 2020 needs providing technical assistance by WHO to the countries to embark on developing health policy aligned with the Health 2020 policy framework.

scholarly journals Is Aboriginal nutrition a priority for local government? A policy analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3019-3028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Helson ◽  
Ruth Walker ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Kim Rounsefell ◽  
Yudit Aron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Aboriginal Populations ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore how Australian local governments prioritise the health and well-being of Aboriginal populations and the extent to which nutrition is addressed by local government health policy.DesignIn the state of Victoria, Australia, all seventy-nine local governments’ public health policy documents were retrieved. Inclusion of Aboriginal health and nutrition in policy documents was analysed using quantitative content analysis. Representation of Aboriginal nutrition ‘problems’ and ‘solutions’ was examined using qualitative framing analysis. The socio-ecological framework was used to classify the types of Aboriginal nutrition issues and strategies within policy documents.SettingVictoria, Australia.SubjectsLocal governments’ public health policy documents (n79).ResultsA small proportion (14 %,n11) of local governments addressed Aboriginal health and well-being in terms of nutrition. Where strategies aimed at nutrition existed, they mostly focused on individual factors rather than the broader macroenvironment.ConclusionsA limited number of Victorian local governments address nutrition as a health issue for their Aboriginal populations in policy documents. Nutrition needs to be addressed as a community and social responsibility rather than merely an individual ‘behaviour’. Partnerships are required to ensure Aboriginal people lead government policy development.

Public health ethics: a flawed view of Kant’s argument from autonomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. e477-e481
Author(s):  
Una P Canning
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Health In All Policies ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
The Social ◽  
Kant's Ethics ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACT Background This work explores the concept of morality as self-governing autonomy that has its origins in Immanuel Kant’s ethics. It investigates how a mistaken view of Kant’s ethics underpins a strand of debate in public health policy that is used to justify individual responsibility for health and well-being. Method Literature review. Results Applying a mistaken view of Kant’s ethics to current day public health problems is inappropriate. The work discusses the social determinants of health and the call by some in the field to adopt a Kantian approach to tackle the problems of poor health resulting from lifestyle choices. Conclusion The paper ends by arguing for a public health policy that is grounded in collaboration and for the adoption of Health in All Policies (HiAP).

scholarly journals Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Sarah J. Lindley ◽  
Penny A. Cook ◽  
Aletta Bonn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.

scholarly journals The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽  
Ina Neumann ◽  
Karsten Grunewald ◽  
Patrycia Brzoska ◽  
Jiři Louda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Urban Nature ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

The quality of life in our cities critically depends on the intelligent planning and shaping of urban living space, in particular urban nature. By providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES), urban nature essentially contributes to the well-being of city dwellers and plays a major role in avoiding common diseases through its positive impact on physical and mental health. Health is one of the most important factors underlying human welfare and is, thus, vital to sustainable development. The ES of urban green space provide other social-cultural functions alongside public health, for example by fostering environmental justice and citizenship participation. Thus, they should always be considered when searching for solutions to urban problems. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of green areas in three selected cities on the health and well-being of people by self-reporting of green areas’ visitors. To this end, we posed the research question: which types and characteristics of urban green space are most appreciated by city dwellers? Based on our findings, we have drawn up recommendations for practices to promote better living conditions. We have also pinpointed obstacles to and opportunities for leisure time activities as well as ways of supporting the public health of citizens.

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