A webinar to launch the report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region was held today (Wednesday). H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, minister of health, gave remarks on the Commission’s report. 

The report covers twelve topics which are Health inequities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, COVID-19 and health inequalities, conflict and consequences and migration ,economic drivers and health equity, in addition to culture and society, climate change, the natural environment and health equity, as well equity in maternal and child health, the early years and education, working lives and health equity, healthy ageing, built environments and health equity, Health systems for health equity, and Governance and taking action to build back fairer.

The webinar, moderated from Cairo, presented the report of the Commission and generated a policy level debate on promoting health equity in the Region. The Commission's report, based on an in-depth analysis, not only discusses structural issues, such as conflict and climate change, but also examines inequities in the conditions of daily life in areas such as education and work.

The report is expected to provide evidence and guidance on the Region's progress in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals in alignment with WHO’s Thirteenth Global Programme of Work and the regional Vision 2023.

It should be noted that the Regional Commission on the Social Determinants of Health was established in November 2019 to review health inequities in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region and issue recommendations to address these inequities.