Health Within and Beyond Welsh Borders - June 2018

Health Within and Beyond Welsh Borders June 2018

WHO Collaboration Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being More on Page 4

Welcome

Welcome to the June issue of the IHCC European and international e-bulletin.

This month’s issue will provide you with information on the launch of the new WHO Collaboration Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being and Welsh activity within and beyond Welsh borders, in addition to opportunities.

Follow the IHCC on Twitter for regular updates #IHCCWales and on the IHCC website.

Contents In Focus - Beyond Wales 4 In Focus - Within Wales 7 Opportunities 12

The IHCC has a new website!

Our E-bulletin is making space for this new resource, the best place to stay updated on a range of topics related to work within and beyond borders, such as:

Resources

News

Funding

Events

Working Internationally If you would like to find out more about Welsh, UK, European, or International organisations involved or supporting international work, please visit the Services section.

Would you like to promote your international work? Go to Get Involved and find out how to submit a project, an event or a news item to the

IHCC website.

Continue reading to find out what’s ‘In Focus Beyond and Within Wales’

In Focus Beyond Wales

Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting 2018 On 20 May 2018, the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was chaired by Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Minister for Health in Ghana. This year’s theme was “Enhancing the global fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs): raising awareness, mobilising resources and ensuring accessibility to universal health coverage (UHC)”.

NCDs, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases and mental health, are an increasing health problem globally. Across the 53 member countries of the Commonwealth, they account for around 10 million deaths, seven million of which are due to causes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory disease and diabetes.

During the meeting, the health ministers discussed a number of key policy measures to address NCDs, e.g. by improving the financing of vaccines and health technologies. They also committed to provide strong political leadership and accelerate progress on meeting the global NCD targets.

Areas for consensus and collaboration included increased taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, 100% smoke-free zones and one-stop crisis centres for victims of gender-based violence.

Discussions also focused on mobilising resources and effective funding for UHC, which can also aid the fight against NCDs. It was agreed that the 2019 theme would be ‘Universal Health Coverage: Reaching the unreached, ensuring that no-one is left behind’. This will align with the upcoming High-Level Meeting on UHC in the same year.

For more information, please visit the Commonwealth website.

Keywords: noncommunicable diseases, policy, sustainable development

Clean Air Day 2018 Clean Air Day 2018 took place on the 21st of June. The campaign is led by Global Action Plan, an environmental charity. Currently, the campaign involves towns and cities across the UK, with the aim to be extended beyond the UK in the future.

Air pollution is harmful to health and the environment, and it is linked to around 40,000 premature deaths in the UK every year.

This year, the campaign focuses on travelling as a major cause of air pollution. In order to improve the quality of air, people need to change the way they travel. This includes short journeys, such as to work. There are several ways everyone can contribute to better air quality in the future, for example by changing to electric cars, walking or cycling to work or school or plan virtual meetings instead of face-to-face, if possible.

For more information, please visit the Clean Air Day campaign website and find further information @cleanairdayUK on Twitter.

Keywords: environmental health, transport, planning for better health and wellbeing

World Health Assembly 2018 The 71st annual World Health Assembly (WHA) was held from May 21 to 26, 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. The Assembly brought together delegations of all 194 WHO member states to discuss the policy agenda, fiscal planning and pressing health issues.

The WHA focused on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as well as celebrating the 70th anniversary of the organisation and the 40th anniversary of the Alma-Ata declaration. The theme of this year’s Assembly was health throughout the life course, including topics such as sexual and reproductive health, interpersonal violence, maternal, infant and young child nutrition and the Global Vaccine Action Plan.

During the Assembly, delegates have accepted a new strategic action plan for the next five years. The 13th General Programme of Work aims to achieve the ‘Triple Billion Goals’, to be achieved by 2030: 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage, 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies, and 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.

During his closing speech, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the importance of the commitments made by the delegations of the member states to strengthen their health system and to strive to universal health coverage and the attainment of the sustainable development goals.

Dr Ghebreysus said: “The commitment I have witnessed this week, gives me great hope and confidence that together we can promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable”.

Further information can be found on the World Health Organization website.

Keywords: World Health Organization, policy, sustainable development

In Focus Within Wales

This section highlights recent examples of Welsh activity within our borders. This could take the form of collaborations, events and other work related to improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities in Wales.

Launch of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being data Public Health Wales’ World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on ‘Investment for Health and Well-being’ was launched on 14 June. The Collaborating Centre is the first in this area of expertise and will collect and share new information on investment in health, reducing inequalities and building stronger communities in Wales, Europe and worldwide.

At the Collaborating Centre’s official launch event in Cardiff Castle, opened by Public Health Wales Chair, Jan Williams and CEO Tracey Cooper. The Cabinet Secretary congratulated the organisation on an achievement he considered to be “a source of pride for Wales.”

He said: “This puts Wales in an exciting position to make sustained and continued improvements in people’s health and wellbeing.”

WHO representative Chris Brown was also present in Cardiff for the launch.

Speaking to attendees, she emphasised the strong and long-standing partnership between Public Health Wales and WHO, as well as their shared visions and priorities for health.

Director of the new Collaborating Centre, Professor Mark Bellis, shared an overview of what the Collaborating Centre’s 4-year programme.The programme will draw on expertise from across Public Health Wales and encourage a multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach to health in both the short and the long term.

Keywords: WHO European Region, global/ international,international health

New IHCC progress report (2015-2017) published The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC) has published a new report highlighting its achievements in supporting implementation of the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales.

The latest IHCC Progress Report outlines the work, progress and achievements from 2015 to 2017 made by the IHCC and the Welsh Health Boards and Trusts in this field. It also shows how the IHCC has evolved in relation to global, UK, national and local developments. Some of the key achievements from the last two years include: • Benchmarking the implementation of the Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales, measuring progress and noting successful strategies for wider implementation • Strengthening the role of the Charter Implementation Group to lead on the development and dissemination of best practice whilst aligning to national policy and legislation • Building and strengthening partnerships with health organisations around the world, facilitating international collaboration and income generation across the NHS Dr Gill Richardson, Chair of the Charter Implementation Group and Assistant Director for Policy Research and International Development at Public Health Wales said: “Support for global health involvement comes from the very highest level in Wales, and is endorsed by the First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and Future Generations Commissioner.

“The activity that Health Boards and Trusts are engaged in internationally is truly inspirational, from those that visit, those that support from Wales, and those that receive international visitors. We look forward to maintaining this momentum as we work together to achieve the Charter’s goals in future years.”

The IHCC supports the Globally Responsible aspects of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act and assists NHS Wales Health Boards and Trusts to participate in international learning and exchange opportunities, reciprocal partnership working and good practice. The first IHCC Progress Report highlighted significant accomplishments within its first two years of work (2013-15).

Dr Richardson explained: “The IHCC has made substantial gains in furthering international learning and good practice in Wales, all achieved with minimal resource.

“Working in close collaboration with national and international partners, the IHCC has focused its work on the four priorities identified by the Charter: organisational responsibilities; reciprocal partnership working; good practice; and sound governance.”

Hosted by Public Health Wales, the IHCC brings together

all NHS Wales Health Boards and Trusts, the NHS Confederation and key partners including the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner and Wales for Africa Health Links network to form a unique platform for information sharing, knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking. The responsibilities placed on Health Boards and Trusts under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act Globally Responsible Goal are driving the work of the IHCC forward.

Dr Richardson continued: “As the Charter implementation progresses, it will be essential for the IHCC and our collaborating partners to maintain momentum to achieve the Charter’s goals.

“Over the next two years, the IHCC will consolidate its achievements in implementing the Charter. We will also seek out and create new opportunities to increase Wales’ visibility and influence beyond our borders, including linking with NHS Scotland on their exciting Global Citizenship agenda“, she concluded.

Established in 2013, the IHCC has worked to build a strong national network of stakeholders, forged links with international partners and networks, and is driving improvements to health in Wales and overseas.

In Wales, all Health Boards and Trusts pledged to implement the Charter of International Health Partnerships in 2014 . The Charter Implementation Group oversees progress and includes representatives from each body. This ensures shared leadership and collaboration with exchange of knowledge and experience, the development of joint products and the building and strengthening international health partnerships and learning exchanges.

Read or download the IHCC progress report 2015-2017 Keywords: IHCC Charter, global/ international, health professionals, health services, international health, sustainable development,UK, Wales, WFGA

Regions for Health Network The 24th annual meeting of the WHO Regions for Health Network (RHN) was held in Gothenburg, Sweden from 11-12 June.

The theme of the meeting was the operationalisation of the 2030 sustainable development goals on subnational level.

The meeting provides a platform for sharing ideas and experiences between all member regions.

Sessions were held on specific subjects, such as environment and health, women’s and men’s health, and health diplomacy.

Dr Mariana Dyakova (International Health Lead, Public Health Wales) presented the new WHO CC on Investment for Health and Well-being during a session titled ‘Investing in Health – Driving Prosperity for all’.

It focused on how the new Welsh WHO CC can support other regions and member states to drive and mainstream evidence-based investment for health and well-being, strengthening investment for health and equity through health in all policies and effective evidence and knowledge mobilisation.

Prof Mark Bellis (Director of Policy, Research, and International Development, Public Health Wales and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being) chaired a session on reducing school failures Keywords: sustainable development, evidence, good practice

Migrant, Ethnicity, Health, and Race Congress 2018 The 1st Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health focused on improved research, population health and health care for migrants and other discriminated-against populations, bringing together over 700 stakeholders from various sectors across the globe to share and transfer learning.

The congress was an opportunity to showcase Public Health Wales’ commitment to the asylum seeker and refugee (ASR) agenda. Anna Stielke (Programme Support Officer, International Health Division) presented work on health service experiences of the ASR population in Wales. This formed part of a larger research study, being led by Public Health Wales and Swansea University, to determine the effect of health service experiences on the health and well-being of adult asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.

To find further information, please visit the MERH congress website.

Keywords: migrants, health inequalities, sustainable development, international health

Opportunities For general information on European funding, read the IHCC European Funding Catalogue Part 1 on Horizon 2020 and the Third Health Programme, and Part 2 or visit the IHCC Website for more information on funding opportunities.

Funding Welsh Government Wales for Africa Grant Scheme Wales Council for Voluntary Action Keywords: funding, international health, project, sustainable development, communities Deadline: 29 June 2018 For more information, please visit the Wales Council for Voluntary Action website.

Abstract Submission Non-communicable diseases call for papers Horizon 2020, European Commission Keywords: research, evidence, global health, policy Deadline: 15 July 2018 For further information, please visit the World Health Organization website.

Training International Development Course Bond Keywords: training, sustainable development, international health Dates: 9 – 10 July 2018 and 15 - 16 January 2019 For more information, please visit the Bond website.

Preparing proposals Bond Keywords: training and skills, funding, international development Dates: 13 – 14 November 2018 Please visit the Bond website to find out further information and to register.

Contact Us Email International.health@wales.nhs.uk Telephone 02920 104 459 Post International Health Coordination Centre c/o Public Health Wales Capital Quarter 2 Tyndall Way Cardiff CF10 4BZ Website www.internationalhealth.nhs.uk Twitter @IHCCWales