WHO
02/26/2020

FDI tells WHO that oral health must be integrated into strategies addressing other diseases

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FDI network_World Health Organization Executive Board

The World Health Organization Executive Board (WHO EB) held its 146th session in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 8 February to review reports and resolutions ahead of the World Health Assembly in May. As a non-state actor in official relations with WHO, FDI delivered three statements, pressing for further commitments on oral health. 

FDI asserts importance of oral health as an essential element of primary healthcare and universal health coverage 

The 2019 landmark political declaration made in September at the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) sends a powerful message: Member States show a strong political vision and commitment to ensuring UHC for the people they serve. FDI applauded world leaders for making a breakthrough commitment to strengthen oral health within the political declaration. FDI also urged Member States to convert the words of the declaration into concrete, sustainable action at the national level and said that they stand ready to assist governments in implementing their UHC strategies. FDI underlined the importance of solidarity and collaboration in achieving oral health and UHC for all. Read the FDI statement on UHC and oral health here.

United Nations Member State Sri Lanka, supported by 17 additional countries, also made a compelling statement on the importance of oral health under this agenda item.

FDI supports WHO’s vision for the Decade of Healthy Ageing: a world in which everyone can live a longer and healthier life

The WHO Secretariat is developing a proposal for a Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020–2030 with Member States and with inputs from partners, including United Nations entities, other international organizations and non-state actors. FDI commended WHO for their Decade for Healthy Ageing 2020–2030 proposal and requested that oral health be specifically included in the action plan’s progress indicators. Oral health must be included to meet the increasing oral health needs of ageing populations worldwide. Read FDI’s statement on the Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020-2030 here.

FDI calls for oral health to be included in national digital health strategies

The purpose of the WHO draft global strategy on digital health is to advance and apply digital technologies towards the vision of health for all. The draft strategy aims to encourage international collaboration and to support countries in their national, digital-health-enabled programmes. FDI encouraged Member States to consult National Dental Associations when developing and implementing their national digital health strategies so that oral health is integrated into health services and overall health outcomes are improved. Read the FDI statement on the global draft strategy on digital health here.

What happens now?

The 146th WHO EB approved the agenda for the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, which will take place from 17–21 May in Geneva, Switzerland. FDI will attend and continue to push for oral health to be integrated within the global health and development agenda, so that governments understand that you can’t be healthy without good oral health.

Find out more...

FDI delivers statements at the annual WHO Executive Board meeting, prepared together with the Vision 2020 Task Team, to push for oral health to be considered within certain agenda items.

WHO Executive Board Statements

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