A life course approach to health and well-being: call for papers

2 p.Health and well-being are shaped by interacting biological, social and environmental determinants acting across the lifespan and between generations, requiring integrated approaches that extend beyond disease-focused care. This editorial introduces a call for papers on applying a life course approach to health and well-being, grounded in the World Health Organization framework for implementation in policy and practice. The article outlines key principles of the life course approach, including person-centred care, health equity, early action, evidence-based interventions and coordinated action across sectors and life stages. It highlights how structural and intermediary determinants influence health trajectories and notes that the continued predominance of disease-focused and vertically organized programmes limits integration across life stages. The discussion emphasizes the need to reorient health systems through integrated services, financing and governance mechanisms, including embedding life course approaches within primary health care and universal health coverage benefit packages. The call invites submissions addressing implementation strategies, evaluation methods and applications across diverse settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and encourages contributions that explore continuity of care, population-based and targeted interventions, and the use of longitudinal data to inform policy and practice.286286

Eastern Mediterranean Regional (EMR) respiratory virus activity – weekly update: week 7/2026

3 p

31st Meeting of the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication in the Western Pacific, Tokyo, Japan, 11-13 November 2025: meeting report

17 p

WHO guideline for screening and treatment of cervical pre-cancer lesions for cervical cancer prevention: use of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA genotyping

xiii, 54 p.Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge globally, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries, despite the availability of effective prevention strategies and the global commitment to its elimination. This guideline presents evidence-based recommendations from the World Health Organization on the use of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA genotyping in screening programmes for the prevention of cervical pre-cancer and cancer. The document examines different levels of HPV DNA genotyping, including no, limited and extended genotyping, and their role in risk stratification and molecular triage to guide clinical management within screening algorithms. It outlines recommendations primarily for the general population of women, with consideration of programme capacity, particularly in relation to follow-up and treatment services, and describes preferred screening strategies under varying resource conditions. The guideline also summarizes the evidence base underpinning these recommendations, including systematic reviews and modelling analyses, and addresses key implementation considerations such as feasibility, resource use and equity. Intended for policy-makers, programme managers and health professionals, it supports the selection and adaptation of context-appropriate strategies to strengthen cervical cancer prevention and advance progress towards elimination

Summary report on the intercountry technical consultation on strengthening research and data systems for evidence-informed policy-making, Cairo, Egypt, 2-4 September 2025

19 p

Trend analysis and modelling of universal health coverage, Ethiopia

9 p.Universal health coverage (UHC) remains a central global health objective, yet many countries face persistent challenges in achieving equitable access to essential services. This research article examines the attainability of the UHC service coverage target of 80% by 2030, using Ethiopia as a case study, through analysis of historical trends and projections of the universal health service coverage index and estimates the probability of achieving the target. The study analyses changes in the composite UHC index and its subindices between 2000 and 2021, and applies Bayesian projection modelling and simulation techniques to estimate future trajectories up to 2030 and 2040. Findings indicate a trajectory marked by early gains followed by recent stagnation, with steady improvements until 2015 and limited progress thereafter. Projections suggest that coverage will reach approximately 64.7% by 2030, falling short of the global target, with particularly limited gains in noncommunicable diseases and service capacity. Simulation results show that even substantial increases in health system inputs, including financing, infrastructure and workforce, would yield only modest improvements in coverage. The article highlights the need for structural reforms, strengthened governance and integrated health system approaches to accelerate progress and provides an analytical framework to inform context-specific strategies towards achieving UHC.81

Air quality indexes: key considerations and roadmaps for best practices

v, 57 p.Air quality indexes (AQIs) are widely used to communicate short-term air pollution concentrations and related health risks to the public. Conventional AQIs are typically formulated based on the concentration of the single air pollutant that most exceeds its regulatory standard (among all pollutants measured). Alternatively, health-based AQIs represent the combined health risks due to multiple air pollutants and are formulated from concentration–response functions derived from epidemiological evidence. This report examines public health approaches to improve AQIs, with a focus on roadmaps for best practices in developing, validating and communicating health-based AQIs. It first reviews the status of and differences between conventional and health-based AQIs. The Canadian Air Quality Health Index is presented as a model health-based approach, and the strengths and weaknesses of several novel indexes are discussed. Next, published studies supporting conventional and health-based AQIs across several tiers of evaluation are reviewed, focusing on evidence of public health benefits. The roles of public communication and global equity are also discussed. From this assessment, key considerations that serve as the basis for framing roadmaps for best practices moving forward are identified. In conclusion, health-based AQIs are noted to offer several advantages compared with conventional AQIs. There is a need to adopt locally-adapted, equity sensitive approaches that reflect diverse air pollution profiles, health susceptibilities and cultural contexts. Strengthening risk communication – through improved indexes and innovative strategies – plays a key role in supporting future efforts to protect public health

Joint evaluation of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All: web annexes

v, 171, [3] p.Accelerating progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals requires stronger collaboration among multilateral agencies and more effective alignment with country-led priorities. This document presents the web annexes to the joint evaluation of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP), providing detailed methodological, analytical and contextual information underpinning the evaluation process. The publication compiles comprehensive supporting materials, including the terms of reference, evaluation matrix, theory of change, data collection tools, country case studies and stakeholder consultations. It outlines the evaluation’s scope, objectives and questions, structured around criteria such as effectiveness, coherence and sustainability, and describes the mixed-methods approach used to assess collaboration among 13 signatory agencies at global, regional and country levels. The annexes reflect the SDG3 GAP framework, including its commitments and accelerator themes, and provide evidence on how joint efforts contribute to strengthening primary health care, advancing equity, improving data systems and supporting progress towards health-related SDG targets. Intended for evaluators, policymakers and technical partners, the document enhances transparency, facilitates validation of findings and supports the use of evaluation results for accountability, learning and improved coordination

Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress

viii, 141 p.Addressing the global treatment gap for common mental health conditions requires scalable, evidence-based approaches that can be delivered beyond specialist care settings. This manual provides operational guidance for planning and implementing individually delivered psychological self-help interventions to expand access to mental health care. It outlines how structured self-help techniques can support individuals in managing psychological distress, drawing on evidence of effectiveness, particularly for depression and anxiety, and situates these interventions within comprehensive mental health systems adaptable to diverse contexts and delivery formats. The publication presents key steps for programme design and implementation, including intervention selection, cultural adaptation, workforce preparation and delivery models. It describes both guided and unguided self-help modalities, detailing processes for user assessment, brief support contacts, safety management and referral pathways. Dedicated sections examine the application of two WHO interventions, Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress, highlighting their structure, delivery and evidence base. Intended for decision-makers, programme managers, trainers and non-specialist helpers, the manual supports the effective scale-up and integration of evidence-based psychosocial interventions within health and community systems through practical tools, templates and implementation protocols.Generic field-trial version 1.0 dc.relatio

Trousses d’inspection sanitaire : un outil de soutien pour les Directives sur la qualité de l’eau de boisson : petits approvisionnements en eau

iv, 216 p.Ce document d’orientation présente un ensemble d’outils pratiques destinés à soutenir la mise en œuvre des inspections sanitaires des petits systèmes d’approvisionnement en eau de boisson, en complément des Directives de l’OMS sur la qualité de l’eau de boisson : petits approvisionnements en eau. Il répond à la nécessité de renforcer la gestion proactive des risques dans des contextes où les capacités de surveillance de la qualité de l’eau peuvent être limitées, en mettant en avant le rôle des inspections sanitaires pour identifier les facteurs de contamination et améliorer la sécurité de l’eau . Le document propose une série de trousses d’inspection normalisées couvrant différents types de sources et de systèmes, notamment les eaux souterraines, les captages d’eau de surface, les systèmes de distribution et les pratiques au niveau des ménages. Chaque trousse comprend un formulaire d’inspection, une fiche d’information technique et une fiche de conseils de gestion, fournissant des orientations sur l’identification des risques, les caractéristiques des systèmes et les mesures correctives. Il aborde également l’adaptation aux contextes locaux, la formation des utilisateurs et l’intégration dans les activités de surveillance et de planification de la sécurité de l’eau. Destiné aux autorités sanitaires, organismes de surveillance, fournisseurs d’eau et acteurs communautaires, ce document vise à améliorer l’évaluation des risques et la gestion durable de la qualité de l’eau de boisson