What is IUHPE’s mission, and how has it evolved to address current global health challenges?
IUHPE’s mission has always been to promote health equity by reducing inequalities in access to health and well-being. We focus on the broader determinants of health – ecological, physical, political, and social. Health promotion is about creating environments that support health, instead of concentrating solely on preventing illness. Over the years, this mission has become more pressing as we see growing disparities. The gap between the rich and poor is widening in many areas, making it harder to achieve equity in health. IUHPE continues to address these issues, remaining just as relevant today as we were when we were founded nearly 75 years ago.
What are the main challenges you face as Executive Director in advancing IUHPE’s mission today?
One significant challenge is sustaining our membership base. In the digital age, people often perceive information as being freely accessible online, which has made it more difficult for membership-based organisations like ours to attract and retain members. To counter this, we’ve had to diversify our revenue streams and demonstrate the unique value we offer, such as exclusive opportunities for engagement, discounts on events, and participation in global health projects. I also think one of the most valuable benefits is less tangible – a community of health promoters from over 100 countries.
Another challenge is the growing polarisation of opinions in society. As a global organisation, I feel we have a duty to focus on what unites health promoters, working across political and cultural divides to address shared health challenges like demographic and climate change, which no single country can tackle alone. After all, health knows no borders.
What kind of events does IUHPE organise, and how are they configured to meet the evolving needs of members?
IUHPE organises both global and regional conferences, typically in collaboration with local partners. These events are designed to address health promotion priorities while incorporating local priorities and successes of our host regions. For example, our 2019 Global Conference in New Zealand prominently featured Indigenous knowledge and a holistic approach to health that goes beyond human health and well-being.
We’ve also embraced virtual conferences during the pandemic, which allowed us to include participants who might not have been able to attend in person due to financial or travel constraints. We are now thinking about different approaches, e.g. holding regional events more frequently, in order to offer greater flexibility while maintaining our community feel. I am trying to determine whether this would reduce the overall carbon footprint of our conferences, as sustainability is a growing concern.
What significant trends do you see shaping the health promotion sector, and how is IUHPE responding?
While our core mission of equity in health does not change, the field of health promotion is expanding to address issues that have gained prominence. A major trend is the increasing focus on planetary health, which recognises the deep interconnection between human health and the health of our ecosystems. In response to this, IUHPE has incorporated competencies related to addressing the causes and direct and indirect impacts of our changing natural world into our health promotion frameworks.
We also see an urgent need to address the growing burden of chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide. Our focus is on systemic, policy-driven changes that make it easier for people to live healthy lives – such as improving access to nutritious food, safe environments, and physical activity.
What are your top priorities for IUHPE in the next few years in terms of organisational growth and impact?
Our current strategic plan, which runs through 2026, focuses on three key areas. First, we are prioritising planetary health, addressing the interconnectedness of environmental and human well-being. Second, we aim to reduce the burden of preventable chronic diseases through health promotion policies and systemic interventions. Finally, we want to continue developing health promotion as a field. This includes expanding and promoting our Global Accreditation System and competency frameworks, and ensuring that professionals working in this area have the skills and recognition they need to make a meaningful impact. In doing so, we hope to foster a stronger, more cohesive global community of health promoters, capable of tackling both long-standing and emerging challenges in public health.