The WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, has appointed Eluned Morgan as a WHO Champion for the European Well-being Economy Initiative. Eluned Morgan is currently the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Wales (United Kingdom). This personal appointment is in recognition of Cabinet Secretary Morgan’s commitment to advancing the health sector’s contributions to a well-being economy and promoting a whole-of-society approach to well-being.
Wales is one of the few nations globally where well-being is underpinned by legislation. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change; and the Socio-Economic Duty (2021) encourages better decision-making to deliver better outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in Wales through an equality-focused approach.
Inspiring innovation
Working together with WHO/Europe and the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development, Wales is set to establish itself as an innovation site for enabling and progressing well-being economies. Work undertaken through this collaboration to date includes the introduction of the Welsh Health Equity Status Report Initiative, which promotes, enables and champions evidence-based, cross-sector partnerships and investments aimed at reducing health disparities in Wales and beyond.
“Our Well-being of Future Generations Act has forced us to think – and act – very differently about the decisions we make; acting not just in the here and now but for the longer-term benefit of our population. I hope the strength of Wales’ commitment to building a well-being economy, progressing sustainability in health investment and the health equity agenda, can serve as inspiration to other countries and regions, helping to reduce wider inequalities, share prosperity and improve well-being,” said Cabinet Secretary Morgan.
Through its European Well-being Economy Initiative, WHO/Europe works to demonstrate the co-benefits of investments in well-being, equity and healthy societies for sustainable and inclusive development. The initiative will continue to shape how national governments and authorities generate new revenue and redirect existing spend into health, equity and well-being policies and interventions.
“We all want to live in communities that are safe and fair, where our voices are heard. We want decent jobs, quality education for our children, and we want to be able to see a doctor when we, or a loved one, is ill,” said Dr Kluge. “A well-being economy means well-being for people and planet. And together with our Well-Being Economy Initiative Champions, we want to inspire decision-makers, along with our economy and finance sectors, to invest in people and health. There can be no better recipe for equity, trust and prosperity.”
Placing health and health equity at the core
Cabinet Secretary Morgan joins WHO/Europe’s first 2 Well-being Economy Initiative Champions, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, and Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova.
The role of WHO/Europe Well-being Initiative Champions is to raise awareness among European Region and global governments, along with intergovernmental bodies, about the imperatives and benefits of transitioning to well-being economies. Champions are well-known figures in the public sphere who commit to contributing to WHO’s efforts to raise awareness of important health problems and solutions.
They are nominated by the WHO Regional Director for Europe for a period of 2 years and will work closely with the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development to draw attention to priorities and/or specific health issues affecting people’s lives and well-being.
Cabinet Secretary Morgan’s appointment was officially announced in the European Health Forum Gastein webinar “Heading towards well-being societies in Europe”, showcasing the need to sustain momentum to support societies in prioritizing health and well-being for all.