Health 2020: a European policy framework supporting action across government and society for health and well-being

Improving health and well-being lies behind the new health policy framework for Europe, Health 2020, adopted by the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in 2012. Health 2020 is a value- and evidence-based framework that allows a strategic approach to be taken towards this goal.

Health 2020 presents a wealth of new evidence, for example on the social determinants of health and on the economics of public health and prevention. It puts strong emphasis on the political, professional and civil society engagement needed to ensure health improvement and the reduction of health inequities, within a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.

This shorter form of Health 2020 provides European politicians and policy-makers with the main values and principles, and key strategic advice to support action for health and well-being.