WHO Europe: Ljubljana Statement on Health Equity
The WHO Europe High-Level Conference on Health Equity focused on how to close the health equity gap and accelerate improvements for those left behind, and issued a conference statement on health equity.
Parallel sessions provided insights into and practical examples of people-centred integrated services; early interventions to reduce inequities across the life course; social inclusion, participation and empowerment; and health equity for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference outcome statement “Ljubljana Statement on Health Equity (2019)” received strong support and acclamation from the member states.
One key development set down in the statement is the establishment of a multidisciplinary health equity alliance of scientific experts and institutions. The alliance will generate cutting-edge evidence and methods for ministries of health and governments to make the case for, prioritize and scale up scientific, technological, social, business or financial innovations that will support systematic and effective action for health equity. This will enable champions of health equity to align with other equity agendas, nurture honest dialogue and innovations, and build a common path for sustainable change.
Representatives of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, the WHO Regions for Health Network and the Small Countries Initiative read supporting statements. The Ljubljana Statement will be brought as a resolution to the 69th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September.
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