A year into their elected roles, at EPHA General Assembly on June 19, 2025, EPHA Management Board offered their reflections on the current state of health and civil society. The world is in an era of permanent emergency, marked by climate change, conflict, displacement, pandemics, and democratic fragility. Against this backdrop, EPHA asserts that health is no longer a sectoral issue, but a pillar of democracy, security, and social cohesion.
The Board affirms that – even in exceptionally challenging circumstances – civil society must not retreat to the margins. On the contrary, we must step forward as indispensable partners in European health governance. Civil society’s voice is critical to ensuring that policies remain rooted in equity, solidarity, and the wellbeing of all.
In this pivotal moment, Europe must embrace a new growth model, one that puts people first, balances prosperity with sustainability, and anchors security as essential to wellbeing. EPHA is resolutely committed to fostering an agile, inclusive, and resilient health ecosystem through genuine collaboration with policymakers, scientists, and communities.
The Board underscores that this mission transcends EPHA itself. It is a call to empower citizens and communities to engage, act, and hold all of us accountable for the future of public health in Europe and beyond.
The time for incremental change is over. The time to act, boldly and collectively, is now.