Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) Consultation on Social Determinants of Health
Date: 22-24 March 2006
Place: Beijing, China
The WPRO Regional Consultation is a joint effort by the World Health Organization and the Commission on Social Determinants of Health to promote fair policies aimed at reducing health inequalities. The consultation involves high-level policy makers, civil society organizations and scientists who will integrate and sustain efforts to build equity-driven health policies within countries and internationally.
The objective of the consultation is to share information about the Commission’s work and identify opportunities among Member States for tackling the social causes of ill health. Some of the social barriers to health found in the Western Pacific region include urban slums, precarious employment conditions, social exclusion on the basis of religion, gender or race, conflict and natural disasters, whose impact is worst on socially vulnerable groups. Previous regional consultations on the Commission have been held in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia.
The Commission on Social Determinants of Health works with policy makers, researchers and civil society to promote action on the root causes of ill health. Its goal is to unite the know-how and commitment of governments, scientists and communities to advance towards the shared goal of health equity.