No Health Without Peace: Public Health Leadership for peace, health and justice in a world in turmoil
1
European Public Health Association, Utrecht, Netherlands
2
Global Network for Academic Public Health, Washington, United States
3
Faculty of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
4
Association of the Schools of Public Health in European region, Brussels, Belgium
5
WHO Collaborating Centre for public health leadership and workforce development, Maastricht, Netherlands
6
Association of the Schools of public health in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
7
Association of the Schools of Public Health and Programmes, Washington DC, United States
8
World Federation of Public Health Associations, Geneva, Switzerland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3278
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Political leaders, thinkers and policy makers around the world are calling out that we are at a significant inflection point in history, with opportunities and threats to health and wellbeing of humanity and the planet. In these turbulent times, public health professionals and institutions must reflect on their mission, and role in the context of the global polycrisis. The exigencies of these times raises fundamental questions about values, responsibilities and actions in fostering healthy, peaceful communities. This year marks 40th Anniversary of the International Year of Peace. There is acknowledgement that there is “no health without peace”, conflict is a fundamental determinant of health, and “peace is the best medicine”. Peace is more than the absence of war and requires attention to underlying drivers including climate change, discrimination, inequalities, injustice, governance failures, and false assumptions on human nature.
METHODS:
Building on the 16th World Congress statement, “One planet, One people, One health”, this session adopts a reflective and dialogic leadership approach. It brings together senior leaders and early career professionals of public health associations, federations, and international agencies to reflect and identify lines of action. The session responds to the recognised “cry for ethical leadership” and the need to strengthen international institutions in recognition of global interconnectedness.
RESULTS:
In the session the senior leaders will explore key challenges including, standing up for science in contested environment, addressing social and health inequalities that continue “to kill people on a grand scale” and working in solidarity for peace, health and justice across borders. It will also explore how leaders can support the workforce facing moral distress and injury and engagement with diverse worldviews, indigenous people, minorities and communities in protecting and promoting health.
CONCLUSIONS:
This session reaffirms the role of public health leadership in advancing peace as a foundational determinant of health.
Political leaders, thinkers and policy makers around the world are calling out that we are at a significant inflection point in history, with opportunities and threats to health and wellbeing of humanity and the planet. In these turbulent times, public health professionals and institutions must reflect on their mission, and role in the context of the global polycrisis. The exigencies of these times raises fundamental questions about values, responsibilities and actions in fostering healthy, peaceful communities. This year marks 40th Anniversary of the International Year of Peace. There is acknowledgement that there is “no health without peace”, conflict is a fundamental determinant of health, and “peace is the best medicine”. Peace is more than the absence of war and requires attention to underlying drivers including climate change, discrimination, inequalities, injustice, governance failures, and false assumptions on human nature.
METHODS:
Building on the 16th World Congress statement, “One planet, One people, One health”, this session adopts a reflective and dialogic leadership approach. It brings together senior leaders and early career professionals of public health associations, federations, and international agencies to reflect and identify lines of action. The session responds to the recognised “cry for ethical leadership” and the need to strengthen international institutions in recognition of global interconnectedness.
RESULTS:
In the session the senior leaders will explore key challenges including, standing up for science in contested environment, addressing social and health inequalities that continue “to kill people on a grand scale” and working in solidarity for peace, health and justice across borders. It will also explore how leaders can support the workforce facing moral distress and injury and engagement with diverse worldviews, indigenous people, minorities and communities in protecting and promoting health.
CONCLUSIONS:
This session reaffirms the role of public health leadership in advancing peace as a foundational determinant of health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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