Public health in South East Europe: a call to action

A new report urges action on public health in South East Europe to ensure political and social stability. Healing the crisis: a prescription for public health action in South Eastern Europe is published by a partnership of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Open Society Institute, UNICEF and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Countries in South East Europe have been affected by conflict, movements of refugees, and disruption of social and economic safety nets. Although significant funds have been injected by international donors there has been little attention given to the overall health status in the region and particularly for disadvantaged groups. Correspondingly the policy response to the health crisis has been weak.

Although many agencies remain active in the region, and government reform processes are proceeding, in several countries investment in public health and in health systems is decreasing. This report makes the case for sustained investment in policies that promote population health.