Training course organized by ASPHER and the European Climate and Health Observatory.

The Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) Partnership will host its Annual Conference 2026 as a one-day pre-conference session at the European Public Health Conference in Bilbao. The event will bring together policymakers, researchers, institutions, practitioners, ecosystems and THCS-funded projects to explore how health and care systems can be transformed to address today’s most pressing societal challenges. Aligned with the priorities of the European public health community and with the overarching theme of the EPH Conference, the event will focus on interconnected entry points for system transformation: climate resilience, circularity, urban and rural health systems, equity, and research and innovation priorities.

The 2026 European Public Health (EPH) Conference in Bilbao will focus on“Urban and global synergies: shaping the future of public health with climate resilience, equity and innovation.” The conference will explore how public health can respond to the interconnected challenges of climate change, urbanisation, health inequities, and sustainability, bringing together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to identify innovative solutions for healthier and more resilient communities. Key themes include climate-resilient health systems, the role of cities as drivers of health and sustainability, reducing inequalities in both urban and rural settings, and designing environments that support physical and mental wellbeing.

Extreme heat is an escalating threat to health and well-being, calling for stronger preparedness, coordinated action and protection of populations most at risk. This COP31 event organized by WHO/Europe will bring together policymakers, experts and local actors from across the European Region to share lessons from recent heatwaves and explore practical solutions that translate heat-health policies into action, from national strategies to community-level initiatives. Speakers will include delegates from the following organizations: the European Commission; the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety; United for Global Mental Health; the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; the cities of Athens and Paris; the Royal Institute of British Architects; the World Meteorological Organization; and the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health. WHO/Europe has published the second edition of its guidance on Heat–Health Action Plans (HHAPs), providing an updated framework to support countries and communities in strengthening preparedness, coordinated responses and protection against the growing health risks of extreme heat.