Health Enabling Societies

The Health Enabling Societies (HES) Unit supports Member States to create healthier environments and reduce health inequities by addressing the social determinants of health, including economic and commercial determinants, through multisectoral action at the local, subnational, and national levels. 

HES envisions a region where local governance mechanisms are fully mobilized to set priorities and collaboratively develop and implement sustainable solutions for people and the planet to attain the highest potential for health and well-being equitably. To achieve its vision, HES supports the strengthening of local intersectoral and multi-level governance structures; strengthening of national and local data and health equity monitoring systems for equity-driven  policy making ; and optimizing different settings to promote health. These include islands, cities, towns and villages and, within them, primary health care units, schools, workplaces, transportation, and any other settings where people actively shape and are shaped by the environment.