Public health knows no borders or limits

May 8, 2025

Dianna Lydiard

European lessons for building global resilience

Each May, European Public Health Week (EUPHW) reminds me why I chose a career in public health. It’s a week where countries come together to share progress, tackle tough challenges and imagine healthier futures. Organized by the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, EUPHW shows us that public health has no borders, only shared responsibilities.

The significance of European Public Health Week stretches beyond regional borders. It offers a reminder that in an interconnected world, the health of one community invariably influences the health of others. It also reveals how shared learning and collaboration can lift entire populations toward better futures.

Europe leading the way in public health innovation
Europe’s history is woven with examples of public health leadership, from the birth of universal healthcare models to groundbreaking policy reforms. Today, European countries continue to illuminate the path forward, demonstrating how the thoughtful optimization of health systems can yield measurable, lasting improvements.

Efforts to address the intersection of climate and health are flourishing. Cities across Europe are creating urban green spaces, reducing air pollution, and adapting healthcare systems to withstand extreme weather events. These initiatives recognize that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a direct threat to human health.

Mental health, once pushed to the margins, has steadily gained prominence. Countries including Finland, the Netherlands and Portugal are integrating mental health services into primary care settings and community hubs, reducing stigma while making treatment more accessible. This movement reflects a growing understanding that mental well-being is inseparable from overall health.

The digital transformation of healthcare is another hallmark of Europe’s leadership. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) initiative seeks to empower citizens with control over their health data while simultaneously enabling research, cross-border care and innovation. In this landscape, privacy and progress are not at odds but intertwined.

Individual nations offer compelling case studies. The United Kingdom continues to pioneer health equity and integrated care through the National Health Service, while the Republic of Ireland’s Sláintecare reforms are reshaping healthcare delivery around accessibility, universality and prevention.

Global connections
Although European Public Health Week shines a light on regional progress, it also underscores a broader truth: public health depends on radical collaboration across continents.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities but also highlighted an extraordinary capacity for global cooperation. Data sharing, joint vaccine development and synchronized public health responses demonstrated that, when facing collective threats, solidarity is not optional but essential.

Transatlantic partnerships between Europe and the United States are deepening in critical areas. Joint efforts in pandemic preparedness, environmental health initiatives and strategies to curb non-communicable diseases are becoming increasingly common. From harmonizing surveillance systems to aligning food policy and chronic disease prevention, these collaborations are building more resilient public health infrastructures worldwide.

Shared challenges demand shared solutions. And in the age of rapid travel, digital connectivity, and climate upheaval, no country can afford to think of itself as an island.

What European Public Health Week teaches us all
At its core, European Public Health Week is more than a commemoration. It is a call to act. It is an insistence that advancing public health demands cross-sector partnerships and a fierce commitment to equity and evidence.

No matter the setting, whether in Stockholm, Dublin, London or San Francisco, the goals remain constant: to foster healthier environments, empower individuals and communities and design systems capable of protecting the most vulnerable. Public health success hinges not only on new technologies or policies but on a shared understanding that health equity is a universal imperative.

The spirit of European Public Health Week reminds us that advancing public health is a journey we must walk together. Wherever you are in the world, there is an opportunity to strengthen systems, close equity gaps and optimize health outcomes.

If you are ready to modernize your public health systems and embrace a more connected, resilient future, Conduent Public Health Solutions is here to help.

Learn more about how we can partner with you to create healthier communities by visiting https://www.conduent.com/government-solutions/medicaid-public-health-solutions/.