WHO/Europe also starts work on a long-term plan to tackle noncommunicable diseases
Copenhagen, 30 October 2026
The 53 Member States of the WHO European Region have adopted two new plans, a strategy on healthy ageing and a roadmap on artificial intelligence (AI) in health. Both were adopted at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC76), which closed in Copenhagen on 29 October 2026.
The new strategy and roadmap respond to two societal changes already under way. People in the Region are living longer, but not always in good health. And AI is entering health care faster than the rules that govern it.
“Many decisions that affect health are taken outside the health sector in political, economic, security and parliamentary settings. Let’s ensure that WHO’s evidence and expertise inform these decisions,” said Dr Corinne Capuano, Officer-in-Charge, WHO/Europe, in her address to the Regional Committee.
Ageing is living
The new regional strategy, Ageing is Living, was unanimously adopted by the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region.
By 2050, an estimated 27% of the Region’s population will be over 65. But living longer doesn’t always mean living healthier. Women in the Region live longer than men but spend a smaller share of their lives in good health: 81.3%, compared with 83.5% for men.
“Living longer is one of our Region’s great public health achievements,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director for Health Systems, WHO/Europe. “The question now is whether those extra years are lived in good health, and sadly too many aren’t, especially for women. This landmark strategy is all about acting across the whole of life, not waiting until people are old. It means care closer to home, real support for families and carers, and tackling ageism wherever we find it. Older people aren’t a burden to society. They’re part of the answer.”
Making AI in health safer and fairer
The 53 Member States of the WHO European Region also unanimously adopted the Region’s first Roadmap for action on artificial intelligence in health. It sets out a shared vision for integrating AI into health systems across Europe and Central Asia to improve people’s health, support health-care workers and advance progress towards universal health coverage.
A recent WHO/Europe report found that nearly 2 in 3 countries in the Region already use AI for diagnosis, and half use conversational AI. Yet only 1 in 5 countries teaches AI to health students, and only 1 in 4 trains staff already in work. Fewer than half have checked whether their laws cover AI, and almost 40% have no ethical guidance. Only 8% of countries have a health-specific AI strategy.
“AI is already in our clinics and hospitals, often ahead of the rules that should govern it,” continued Dr Azzopardi-Muscat. “Health workers and citizens need to understand the AI tools they use, and patients need to know someone is accountable if things go wrong. Before any tool is scaled up, we want proof that it delivers safe & effective care. Technology won’t change health systems on its own. People who trust it and know how to use it will.”
Next: a 10-year plan for noncommunicable diseases and mental health
Member States also began work on two complementary strategies. The first, a strategy and action plan for 2028–2037, will tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and advance well-being through health promotion. NCDs cause 9 in 10 deaths in the European Region. Countries backed the plan, and called for proven measures on tobacco, alcohol, nutrition and physical activity to be accelerated, and for stronger action on the marketing of unhealthy products.
“We already know many of the policies that can prevent noncommunicable diseases and improve people’s health. Our biggest challenge is turning this evidence into political commitment and action,” said Dr Kremlin Wickramasinghe, Director of Prevention and Health Promotion, WHO/Europe. “This new strategy is an opportunity to close that implementation gap while rethinking how we promote health in a rapidly changing world. We will work with countries to ensure the value of NCD prevention and health promotion are firmly reflected in the Region’s economic, resilience and emergency preparedness agendas. Healthier populations are essential for stronger economies and more resilient societies.”
The second is a strategy on mental health and wellbeing. It will focus on prevention, resilience, primary health care, moving care out of institutions and into communities, and tackling stigma. It will also address newer pressures on mental health, including digital technologies and climate change. Countries supported it and asked WHO/Europe to make sure the two strategies work together without duplication, especially on primary health care and addictions. Their feedback will shape the first drafts.
What happens next
Implementation starts now. Countries can use WHO/Europe’s country profiles and Healthy Ageing Intelligence dashboard to plan and track their work on healthy ageing. A midterm report in 2029 will show whether the AI roadmap is delivering. And Member States will see first drafts of the NCD and mental health strategies in 2027, ahead of the 77th session of the Regional Committee, due to take place from 26 to 28 October 2027.
