The need for sustainable innovation in an era of political uncertainty

Abstract

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The global public health community is facing a new era of uncertainty. As the USA embarks on another political shift, the risks to global health initiatives, scientific collaboration, and evidence-based policymaking are mounting. The lessons of the past teach us that public health can be an easy target in times of political upheaval, particularly when misinformation and disinformation infiltrate public discourse. As Professor Martin McKee from EUPHA warns, “disinformation is the new normal with far-reaching implications for society, including population health.” The scientific community must be proactive, not reactive, in confronting these challenges. Our tools—science, advocacy, and capacity building—are necessary but insufficient. Public health must also embrace innovation across multiple domains while remaining connected to our core principles of equity and sustainability.

Public health has long been the invisible force safeguarding societies from disease, environmental hazards, and structural inequities. However, in an era of algorithm-driven news cycles and entertainment-dominated attention spans, public health must evolve beyond traditional modes of communication. We must foster new pathways of innovation to ensure the resilience and adaptability of our systems in the face of rapid global change.

Innovation in public health must take multiple forms—digital, social, low-tech, green, and cultural. Digital innovation, including AI-powered analytics and mobile health applications, can help improve accessibility and real-time monitoring. Social innovation, through participatory health models and behavior change strategies, strengthens community resilience. Low-tech solutions ensure that underserved populations are not left behind, offering cost-effective and scalable approaches. Green health solutions, such as nature-based interventions and sustainable healthcare systems, support planetary health. Finally, cultural innovation is a crucial but often overlooked pathway—leveraging media, art, and storytelling to shape public understanding, combat misinformation, and build trust in public health efforts. EUPHA will continue supporting innovative and comprehensive communication in response to the mentioned challenges.

EUPHA is committed to fostering a stronger public health voice through initiatives like the European Public Health Week (EUPHW), which will take place from 13–17 May 2025. This annual event serves as a platform to engage diverse audiences, strengthen collaborations, and ensure that public health remains a visible and urgent priority. The theme for EUPHW 2025 will focus on innovation, resilience, and equity, reflecting the need to address public health challenges in a rapidly changing world.

EUPHW also presents an opportunity to bring to life the Lisbon Statement from the 2024 Lisbon EPH Conference at the national and local levels. By engaging partners and stakeholders across Europe, we can ensure that the statement is not merely a symbolic declaration but is translated into meaningful action and impact. EUPHW provides the momentum to align advocacy efforts, foster concrete commitments, and integrate the conference’s key messages into policies and practices across different countries, creating a movement for the years to come.

We want to highlight how public health professionals, policymakers, and communities can collectively shape resilient and sustainable health systems. This moment presents an opportunity to engage a wider audience, create meaningful dialogues, and advance innovative solutions that address pressing global health challenges. It offers a straightforward, dynamic, and inclusive platform where anyone can contribute ideas to make science more accessible—whether in English or their native language, through in-person discussions or online. In that sense, EUPHA remains inclusive and open to collaboration to all public health professionals and researchers in the WHO European region, but also beyond in global collaborations for improved planetary health.

As we navigate these turbulent times, one truth remains: public health is political, cultural, innovative, and deeply human. We must step beyond our conventional boundaries, make our voices heard in society, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting health as a fundamental right for all. The stakes have never been higher, and our response must be bold, creative, and unwavering.

To learn more and engage in the European Public Health Week https://eupha.org/euphw