The general objective of the 7th EPH Conference is to strengthen the capacity of public health professionals, researchers and policy makers by enhancing the dissemination and exchange of knowledge, po...
The general objective of the 7th EPH Conference is to strengthen the capacity of public health professionals, researchers and policy makers by enhancing the dissemination and exchange of knowledge, policy and best practice across Europe.
More specifically, the conference aims to:
- offer a platform for disseminating and exchanging knowledge, sharing research outcomes and discussing best practice at a European level;
-share new research methodologies and interventions in all fields of public health;
- create, support and promote close and active collaboration links among European public health networks, organisations and schools of public health;
-exchange and develop strategies to reduce health inequalities in Europe;
- increase knowledge and skills among representatives of member associations of EUPHA and European partners by the organisation of capacity building seminars;
- support the objectives of the EU Health Programme.
The theme for the 7th EPH Conference is ‘Mind the Gap - reducing health inequalities in health and healthcare in Europe’.
This theme was chosen so as to encourage exchange of knowledge and to promote discussion on how European countries cannot just promote the health of the public but also have to reduce inequalities in health and healthcare. Understanding the causes underlying inequities in health and discovering which interventions or policies may reduce inequalities, and under what circumstances, are critical for the promotion of population health for all countries. The current economic circumstances in many countries mean that it is more important than ever for researchers and policy makers to learn from the experiences of each other rather than ‘reinventing the wheel’.
The focus on inequalities in health, and the desire to ensure that the Conference moves research beyond traditional academic boundaries and into policy and practice in line with the Rio Declaration on Social Determinants of Health, is clearly reflected in the sub-themes which include:
1. Inequalities in the population: large scale interventions;
2. Equity across the European region: the European action plan for strengthening Public Health Services and Capacity;
3. Communicable and non-communicable diseases: old challenges, novel solutions;
4. Marginalised groups: migrant and ethnic minority health;
5. Looking to the future: translating evidence into policy.
EUPHA Sections and partner organisations cover priority issues such as health promotion, non-communicable diseases, health systems research, infectious diseases control, public health core competences and education in pre-conferences and in the parallel programme.
Both the plenary programme and the workshops of the parallel programme link up with the Health for Growth programme which aims to identify, disseminate and promote the uptake of cost-effective promotion and prevention measures. The conference offers a meeting place for various projects funded by the EU Health Programme, Research Programme and Cohesion Policy.
The conference contributes directly to increased knowledge and skills among representatives of member associations of EUPHA and European partners by the organisation of capacity building seminars. The conference continues to provide knowledge for evidence-based policy making while focusing on issues like innovation, sustainability and inequalities.