*Update with the WHO Press Release* Health in times of global economic crisis: implications for the WHO European Region - 1/2 April 2009

The global economic downturn occurs as the world is also confronted with the consequences of major demographic changes and global environmental and energy problems. The crisis therefore represents a major threat for both health and health and social protection systems.

Overcoming the crisis will require timely, well-targeted, fully coordinated efforts and investing in health should be part of the response. The Oslo meeting has been organized to discuss how the health sector can help reduce negative health and social impacts and counter the economic downturn. It will also consider the advice given by WHO/Europe to its Member States.

The objectives of the meeting are:

 to review the situation in the WHO European Region by identifying the main risks for health and health systems and the main opportunities for action;
 to discuss policy options for responding to the negative impacts of the economic crisis on health systems and health outcomes in low-, middle- and high-income Member States in the Region;
 to identify health- and health systems- related measures that could be used in the short and medium terms to counter the economic downturn and, in the longer term, to help address (some) structural issues confronting our societies.

EPHA will be represented at this high level meeting.

The meeting will be webcast from 13:00 to 18:00, Central European Summer Time, on Wednesday 1st April and from 09:00 to 16:00 on Thursday 2nd April.

Follow the speeches, presentations and discussions online at:
 http://www.smartcom.no/who/who_eng.html (in English)
 http://www.smartcom.no/who/who_rus.html (in Russian)

Press Release from the WHO: Addressing the global economic crisis while fighting inequalities

Health ministers and experts meeting in Oslo, Norway, today call for solutions to the economic crisis that do not threaten health objectives, despite budgetary constraints.

The consequences of the crisis can be felt at several levels. Evidence that tax revenues are lower than expected is common in virtually all of the 53 countries of the WHO European Region. Some countries such as Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovakia have announced budget revisions. Further, the fall in value of many currencies across Europe is raising the price of health-related commodities, such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Kazakhstan, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, for example, report pharmaceutical price increases of up to 30%. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the countries most vulnerable to rising poverty, as a result of the economic crisis, while the number of poor people in Slovenia has increased by 10% since November 2008.

Faced with rising prices, unemployment and insecurity, people may make changes to how they live that could damage their health. With less to spend, consumers may favour cheaper foods both high in fat and sugar and poor in nutrients. The food situation is particularly critical for children, young people, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Evidence from previous crises suggests that alcohol and drug use, as well as mental illness, could increase.

For further information

 Further information including the provisional programme, discussion paper and how to link to the webcast, is available on the WHO website

 WHO full Press Release

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