On 2 September 2024, the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, in collaboration with UNICEF, hosted a side event addressing the pressing health and wellbeing challenges facing children and adolescents. This event launched the consultation process for developing the new WHO Child and Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the European Region.

EuroHealthNet welcomed this initiative, emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle crises such as climate change, rising living costs, and the mental health decline among young people. Schools were highlighted as vital settings for promoting both physical and mental health. In this context, the Schools4Health initiative was introduced as a model for making every school a health-promoting school, aligning with the strategy’s forward-looking goals.

The Schools4Health initiative is well-positioned to support the strategy by offering a proven framework for improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents. With a focus on engaging the school community, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-based policy actions, the Schools4Health initiative strengthens the WHO Strategy's objectives in these crucial areas.

Speaking on behalf of EuroHealthNet, Director Caroline Costongs remarked, “The future wellbeing of our societies depends on the quality of our investments in today’s children and youth. Through the Schools4Health initiative and broader health-promoting efforts, EuroHealthNet Partnership will continue collaborating with the SHE Network and other organisations, including WHO, to build a healthier future for all, aligning with the strategy's forward-looking objectives.”

EuroHealthNet’s recent statement underscores the importance of these approaches, particularly in ensuring that data-driven policies are implemented to tackle child poverty and improve student well-being. Schools4Health continues to advocate for the integration of health-promoting practices into educational settings, helping to shape a healthier, more equitable future for children and adolescents across Europe.