WHO urged to keep health promotion dept

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) reorganisation of its health promotion department at its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland threatens to undo the global advancements it has made in health promotion over the past four decades.

This is according to an article recently published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia which states that it is ‘unfathomable that WHO would be considering a shift away from health promotion at this critical juncture’.

The article entitled ‘WHO Cares?!?: Prioritising Health Promotion for Global Health Equity Advancement’ was co-  authored by a number of leaders in health promotion including (pic right) HPF’s Executive Director Sione Tu’itahi and Deputy Executive Director, Leanne Eruera.

‘There is simply too much at stake. We are facing multiple health crises, many of which will be reliant on health promotion foundations to seek tangible solutions,' write the authors.

‘The proposed closure of the Department of Health Promotion reflects an explicit erosion of the functions and visibility of health promotion, particularly those relating to diversity, equity and inclusion.

'HPF, the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Australian Health Promotion Association, the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, VicHealth, National Heart Foundation, multiple research institutions and many other health promotion foundations and organisations are united in their call for the preservation of the department.'

They are also calling for ‘the bolstering of health promotion resources to sustain and drive innovative systems change that promotes health equity globally’.

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(* Banner photo - © WHO / Pierre Albouy)