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Online Policy Debate: One Health Management
4 November 2024 - Online
On 4 November 2024, the European Health Management Association (EHMA) held an Online Policy Debate focused on One Health, an approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The event brought together leaders and experts from diverse fields, including public health, environmental science, and veterinary medicine, to explore the practical and policy-related challenges and opportunities of One Health across Europe. It provided a dynamic platform for discussing sustainable and inclusive health solutions, underlining the vital need for collaboration across disciplines.
The EHMA Online Policy Debate featured a rich exchange of insights on adapting health management policies to align with One Health principles. Experts discussed how coordinated efforts are essential to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), stressing that unified policies between human and veterinary medicine are crucial to address this pressing issue effectively. The debate also examined the growing health risks posed by climate change and pollution, with speakers emphasising the importance of proactive, preventative measures to safeguard both human and animal populations. Discussions on aligning One Health policies revealed innovative strategies for improving policy coherence at local, national, and international levels, illustrating how interconnected health policies can lead to more resilient healthcare systems and better outcomes for all.
The debate featured insights from leading professionals:
- Prof Dr Marija Jevtic, Full Professor, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Institut za javno zdravlje Vojvodine, Serbia
- Dr Milka Sokolović, Director General, European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), Belgium
- Erik Ruiz Martin, Safer Pharma Programme Manager, Health Care Without Harm Europe, Belgium
Introducing a New Framework: One Health Management
In celebration of One Health Day 2024, EHMA Interim Executive Director Federica Margheri presented the recent work of EHMA’s Special Interest Group (SIG) on One Health at an international symposium. This SIG has introduced a new definition of ‘One Health Management’, a holistic framework designed to address gaps between human, animal, and environmental health sectors through robust management practices. The paper, titled ‘Introducing One Health Management: the pathway to improving sustainability, optimising resource use, and unifying approaches within global healthcare systems’, presents One Health Management as a powerful model for fostering cross-sectoral collaboration, sustainable resource allocation, and integrated policymaking.
One Health Management aims to build equitable distribution channels and sustainable infrastructure that serve both human and environmental health needs. The framework calls for policies and governance structures that unite health, agricultural, and environmental sectors in collaborative planning and decision-making. Moreover, it encourages interdisciplinary studies that enrich data collection and support actionable interventions, allowing a more unified response across the One Health ecosystem.
EHMA remains committed to embedding One Health principles into health management across Europe, advancing sustainable, preventive, and collaborative solutions. As illustrated by this event and the innovative One Health Management framework, robust policies that bridge sectors are essential for securing a healthier future for both people and the planet. Through such initiatives, EHMA strives to support forward-looking policies that protect health in a rapidly changing world.
READ THE REPORT 'INTRODUCING ONE HEALTH MANAGEMENT'What our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta
EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.
Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain