Service delivery models for people with post COVID-19 conditions in selected European countries: summary report

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected millions of people across the WHO European Region. While the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, it is estimated that 10–20% of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 continue to have symptoms long after their initial illness. Using a tool devised by WHO for collecting data on the management of the post COVID-19 condition (PCC), also known as long COVID, three countries – Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom – and two autonomous regions of Spain – Aragon and Catalonia – collated detailed descriptions of service delivery models that support patients with PCC. This report synthesizes findings from those countries and regions, showing differences and similarities, and concludes with suggestions as to how other health systems can adjust their services to better meet the needs of patients with this debilitating condition.

Tuberculosis surveillance and monitoring in Europe 2024 – 2022 data

This report provides an overview of the latest tuberculosis (TB) epidemiological situation and is published jointly by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In 2022, a little over 170 000 incident TB cases were notified in countries of the WHO European Region, a slight increase from 2021. The increase in 2022 is likely due to a good recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic in access to and provision of TB services in many countries and the introduction of active TB case-finding activities. Despite the notable progress achieved in the fight against TB, countries still face various challenges in reaching the goal of ending the TB epidemic in the WHO European Region. Monitoring progress towards the targets of the new Tuberculosis action plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030 is difficult due to limited or no reporting on some indicators. Further improvement of data completeness and representativeness should be the focus for all countries.

Strengthening climate resilience in the drinking-water and sanitation sector through the Protocol on Water and Health

Strengthening the resilience of water and sanitation services to climate change is a key priority across the pan-European region. Infrastructure and supporting services are at increasing risk from climate threats, which may compromise the health and well-being of communities. Service providers are actively undertaking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt infrastructure and management strategies to enhance resilience. Climate change considerations are increasingly being integrated into water safety plans and sanitation safety plans, and measures such as improving water efficiency, reducing leakage and reusing treated wastewater are being implemented. However, further development of adaptive management and scenario-based planning is necessary. Regulators can support service providers to strengthen resilience, alongside setting climate targets that consider local priorities. Due attention should be given to adequate policy development and financing that underpin resilience building. The Protocol on Water and Health offers a framework for addressing climate challenges by promoting collaboration between all concerned stakeholders, and supporting enhanced resilience through target setting and data harmonization. This strategic paper is published by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, who provided substantive leadership and financial support to its development.

Health needs assessment of the adult population in Ukraine: survey report: April 2024

The ongoing full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation continues to exert unprecedented pressure on all aspects of public life in Ukraine. Despite the significant negative impact of the war, the findings indicate that the country’s health system remains resilient, and that access to health services is good. This study examines the access to primary health care facilities and family doctors in Ukraine as of April 2024, with a focus on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and frontline regions. Eight per cent of households reported no access to primary health care. Seven per cent lack a signed declaration with a family doctor, and 23% have changed their family doctor since the war began, primarily due to dissatisfaction or relocation. Access to health services remains high, although 54% of respondents needed medical assistance recently, with 65% facing problems and 10% unable to obtain needed services. Almost all households faced issues obtaining medicines, primarily due to price increases. Awareness of Ukraine’s Affordable Medicines Programme is low. IDPs and residents of frontline regions face greater challenges in accessing health care, with IDPs particularly affected by the lack of knowledge about health-care facilities and higher rates of unmet medical needs.

WHO Regional Office for Europe Antimicrobial Medicines Consumption (AMC) Network. AMC data 2022

This report presents analyses of data on antimicrobial medicines consumption collected from non-European Union countries in the WHO European Region – 15 countries provided 2022 data. The analyses show the results for key metrics of antibiotic consumption, including total use, relative use of agents according to the WHO Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification, and concordance with WHO monitoring indicators for responsible use of antibiotics. Analyses explore the consumption of antifungal agents, focusing on the consumption of agents used to treat invasive fungal disease.

City leadership for health and sustainable development: critical issues for successful Healthy Cities initiatives in the WHO European Region

This booklet provides an overview of the content, principles, goals and critical factors for the success of healthy cities in the 21st century. WHO European Healthy Cities Network was launched at the peak of the new public health movement in the 1980s. It was highly attractive to local political leaders, inspiring a wide range of new actors, and spread quickly, eventually becoming a thriving global movement that caught the imagination of thousands of city leaders and professionals concerned with urban health and sustainable development. Today, the Healthy Cities movement is more relevant than ever before. Most global public health, social and environmental challenges – and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals – require local action and strong local leadership. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has also shown the enormous relevance of action at the community level, especially regarding the needs of the most vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people. This publication is aimed at decision-makers and professionals. It contains essential facts and advice on launching, leading and implementing Healthy Cities initiatives.

Европейский план действий в отношении вакцин (2015–2020 гг.) Итоговый отчет

На 64-й сессии Европейского регионального комитета ВОЗ был единогласно принят Европейский план действий в отношении вакцин на2015–2020 гг. (ЕПДВ), который определил для Европейского региона ВОЗ курс на иммунизацию и борьбу с заболеваниями, предупреждаемыми спомощью вакцин, на период с 2015 по 2020 гг. В ЕПДВ было представлено перспективное видение, установлены цели и целевые ориентиры,определены стратегические задачи, приоритетные направления действийи индикаторы, и учтены конкретные потребности и сложности, скоторыми сталкиваются государства-члены Европейского региона ВОЗ.

Эпидемиологическая справка ВОЗ: эпидемиологическая оценка отдельных заболеваний, предотвращаемых вакцинацией: № 1/2024

Настоящий выпуск Эпидемиологической справки ВОЗ содержит обзор отдельных эпидемиологических характеристик кори и краснухи в Европейском регионе ВОЗ, основанный на ежемесячных данных эпиднадзора, представленных в Европейское региональное бюро ВОЗ за 2023 г. В нем также представлены данные по дифтерии и коклюшу на основе ежегодных Единых форм отчетности ВОЗ/ЮНИСЕФ (ЕФО) за 2022 г.

WHO EpiBrief: a report on the epidemiology of selected vaccine-preventable diseases in the European Region: No. 1/2024

This issue of WHO EpiBrief provides an overview of selected epidemiological characteristics of measles and rubella in the WHO European Region based on monthly submissions of surveillance data to the WHO Regional Office for Europe for 2023. It also presents data on diphtheria and pertussis based on the Annual WHO/UNICEF Joint Reporting Forms (JRF) for 2022.

Эпиднадзор за устойчивостью к противомикробным препаратам в Европе, данные 2022 г.: краткий обзор

Результаты, представленные в этом кратком обзоре,основаны на данных об устойчивости инвазивныхизолятов к противомикробным препаратам (УПП),сообщенных в Сеть эпиднадзора за устойчивостьюк противомикробным препаратам в Центральной Азии и Европе (CAESAR) и в Европейскую сеть эпиднадзора за устойчивостью к противомикробнымпрепаратам (EARS-Net) в 2022 г.

Двенадцатое совещание Европейской региональной комиссии по верификации элиминации кори и краснухи; 8–11 сентября 2023 г.; Копенгаген, Дания: отчет о совещании

Двенадцатое совещание Европейской региональной комиссии по верификации элиминации кори и краснухи (РКВ) былопроведено 8–11 сентября 2023 г. в Копенгагене, Дания, для рассмотрения ежегодных обновленных данных о статусе элиминации(ЕОД) за 2022 г., полученных от государств-членов Европейского региона ВОЗ. РКВ провела оценку 52 страновых ЕОД за 2022 г.,представленных национальными комитетами по верификации элиминации кори и краснухи. РКВ пришла к выводу, что к концу2022 г. 33 государства-члена предоставили данные, подтверждающие, что эндемичная передача кори была остановлена какминимум в течение 36 месяцев, и таким образом элиминация кори была подтверждена. Точно также эндемичная передачакраснухи была остановлена как минимум в течение 36 месяцев в 49 государствах-членах, а значит была подтверждена ееэлиминация.