European Conference on Public Health 11–13 October 2007 in Helsinki
A thousand experts delving into the future of public health
Top experts in public health research and health policy will come together in Helsinki in mid-October to discuss the future of public health in Europe. – The high number of participants – nearly a thousand – bears witness to the definite need for European co-operation. No country is able to improve its public health on its own. We need European research, regulation and a shared understanding of the common future, says the chair of the organising Committee, Mr Ilmo Keskimäki from STAKES.
The European Conference on Public Health will take place on 11–13 October2007 at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki. A two-day Nordic Conference on Public Health and Social Medicine will be launched a day earlier on 10 October 2007.
The future of public health in Europe will be looked at from various perspectives, including:
1. Social determinants of health
Denny Vågerö, Professor, Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm, Sweden
The World Health Organization (WHO), which monitors trends, problems and crises in health at the international level, is doing research to find a new strategy to address the persistence of health inequalities. Despite the increasing standards of living, health inequalities between regions and within countries are growing even in Europe. Professor Denny Vågerö from Sweden will tell about a new global strategy that aims to promote health equity through the social determinants of health. Rather than on health services the focus will be on living environments, workplace conditions and the social and economic circumstances where children grow up, which as health determinants are more important than for example individual behaviour.
2. The future of public health in Europe
Martin McKee, Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London
Welfare in Europe has long been based on a system where the wealthy, young and healthy support the poor, old and ill. But will future generations be willing to help those who are different from them because of their skin colour or religious dress or will the rich countries be willing to support the new, less wealthy member states of the enlarging Europe? Professor Martin McKee from Great Britain, an active contributor to public health debate, will examine the future of public health in Europe from the perspective of equity and justice: What path will Europe take? Regional and social inequalities are growing and the public opinion climate shows signs of indifference.
3. Future challenges in health promotion
Pekka Puska, Professor, National Public Health Institute, Finland
Professor Pekka Puska will discuss the future challenges of health promotion: How successful can national health promotion campaigns be in a globalised Europe, where emphasis is increasingly on individuality, private services and choice and where the amount of information is growing?
The other main themes of the conference include the re-centralisation of European health systems (Richard B. Saltman), the need to strengthen European public health research (Aileen Clarke) and the future health strategy of the European Union (Nick Fahy, European Commission).
The European Conference on Public Health is organised by the Society for Social Medicine in Finland in co-operation with the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the National Public Health Institute and STAKES. STAKES is in charge of the practical arrangements.
The pre-conference on 10–11 October: the future of the Nordic welfare state
Despite its success, the Nordic welfare state model seems to have drifted into difficulties. Some critics regard that a society that provides welfare services and income transfers is too expensive, while some others believe that state "nannying" limits individual freedom and makes people passive. Some critics, in turn, are concerned that the Nordic welfare state systems have been transformed so profoundly that they have departed from their original targets.
The general presentations of the pre-conference examine links between public health and the Nordic model and its transformation. Children and older people are discussed as an example of groups under threat. The speakers include Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen (Public Health Institute, Copenhagen), Dag Bruusgaard (Oslo University), Ilpo Helén (Helsinki University), Olle Lundberg (Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm) and Marja Vaarama (Lapland University).
The Nordic conference is organised by Nordic societies in public health and STAKES.
Additional information on the European Conference on Public Health:
Ilmo Keskimäki, Director of Division, STAKES, Chair of EUPHA, the Society for Social Medicine in Finland and the organising Committee, ilmo.keskimaki(at)stakes.fi, tel. +358 9 3967 2256 or +358 50 539 2632.
European Conference on Public Health
Additional information on the Nordic Conference on Public Health and Social Medicine:
Mika Gissler, Development Manager, STAKES, Vice-Chair of the Society for Social Medicine in Finland and Chair of the organising committee , mika.gissler(at)stakes.fi, tel. +358 9 3967 2279 or +358 40 503 3805.
Nordic Conference on Public Health and Social Medicine
Media services:
English abstract books are available from STAKES Communications: viestinta(at)stakes.fi or at Finlandia Hall from the Communications Officer. For registration and requests for interviews, please contact Eeva Parviainen no later than Tuesday 9 October 2007: Eeva Parviainen, Communications Officer, STAKES, eeva.parviainen(at)stakes.fi, tel. +358 9 3967 2686 or +358 400 373 688.