Health 21

Health 21 is the name given to the contents of the 1999 WHO European Region document Health 21 - Health for all in the 21st Century. This document was so-called because it dealt not only with health in the 21st century, but also laid out 21 principles and objectives for improving the health of Europeans.

Health 21 Summary

The key message within Health 21 has been said to be that of equality. Actually, the document doesn't claim that it is possible to achieve equality directly, but rather strives to "close the gaps", i.e. to reduce inequality. Health 21 also covers specific health promotion "target groups" these are Children, Older People, reduction of transmission of communicable and infectious diseases and those who (ab)use tobacco, drugs or alcohol.

Health 21 Targets

1. Closing the health gap between countries;
2. Closing the health gap within countries;
3. A healthy start in life (supportive family policies);
4. Health of young people (policies to reduce child abuse, accidents, drug use, unwanted pregnancies);
5. Healthy ageing (policies to improve health, self esteem, and independence before dependence emerges);
6. Improving mental health;
7. Reducing communicable diseases;
8. Reducing non-communicable diseases;
9. Reducing injury from violence and accidents;
10. A healthy and safe physical environment;
11. Healthier living (fiscal, agricultural and retail policies that increase the availability of and access to and consumption of vegetables and fruits);
12. Reducing harm from alcohol, drugs and tobacco;
13. A settings approach to health action (homes should be designed and built in a manner conducive to sustainable health and the environment);
14. Multi-sectoral responsibility for health;
15. An integrated health sector and much stronger emphasis on primary care;
16. Managing for quality of care using the European health for all indicators to focus on outcomes and compare the effectiveness of different inputs;
17. Equitable and sustainable funding of health services;
18. Developing human resources (educational programmes for providers and managers based on the principles of the health for all policy);
19. Research and knowledge: health programmes based on scientific evidence;
20. Mobilising partners for health (engaging the media/TV/Internet);
21. Policies and strategies for health for all - national, targeted policies based on health for all

• Department of Health (1999) Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation London: DoH
• WHO Europe (1999) Health 21 - Health for All in the 21st Century Copenhagen: WHO.
• WHO (1999) Reducing inequalities in health. Copenhagen: WHO.

• World Health Organisation
• Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
• Public health
• Jakarta Declaration
• General Fitness Training