All project partners of JADE HEALTH feel privileged learning the news that WHO Regional Office for Europe officially has become a member of our stakeholder network.

We are grateful for the possibility to learn and receive guidance from the European Office of the United Nations.

WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage, directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies and promotes healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age to achieve good health for all, using science-based policies and programmes.

Find below the most important areas among WHO’s activities focusing on Mental Health, Dementia, and Healthy Ageing 3

Mental Health and Dementia Frameworks 

• The WHO European Framework for Action on Mental Health (EFAMH) (2021–2025) promotes mental well-being, combats stigma, and strengthens investment in quality mental health services,
• EFAMH supports the development of national dementia plans to expand early diagnosis, treatment, and care for older adults.
• The Pan-European Mental Health Coalition, established as a mechanism to support implementation of the EFAMH, includes a work package specifically focused on engaging stakeholders with an interest in advancing the mental health and well-being of older adults.

Strategic Directions for Ageing 

• The forthcoming Regional Strategy "Ageing is Living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being in the WHO European Region" (2026–2030) focuses on prevention across the life course, transforming health and care systems, creating age-friendly and dementia-inclusive environments, and addressing stigma and ageism.
• Dementia risk reduction and person-centred care are central pillars.

Ongoing Regional and Global Efforts

• Dementia prevention is integrated across WHO Europe's programmes, targeting hypertension, depression, physical inactivity, and head injuries.
• The WHO Global Action Plan on Dementia (2017–2025) defines seven action areas to improve diagnosis, treatment, caregiver support, information systems, and research innovation.
• The Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange Platform offers open-access tools, policies, case studies, and success stories to support national actions.
• WHO Guidelines on Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia (2019) are currently being updated through a global expert review process, with aim for publication in 2026.

WHO Tools and Resources

• iSupport for Dementia: Free, online caregiver training to improve knowledge, coping skills, and emotional support.
• ICOPE Framework (Integrated Care for Older People): A person-centred model optimizing older adults´ functional ability and autonomy.
• WHO Guidelines on Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia (2019): Evidence-based recommendations for delaying or preventing dementia.
• WHO Dementia Research Blueprint (2022): A global strategic roadmap to close research gaps and ensure impactful, equitable dementia research.
• WHO Guide for National Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (2023) and Global Resource Library: Practical examples and best practices for age-friendly, dementia-inclusive environments.

  Tackling Stigma 

• The WHO MOSAIC Toolkit provides practical guidance for designing and implementing interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental health conditions, including dementia, emphasizing community engagement, empowerment, and evidence-based approaches.
• One of the key action areas of the forthcoming strategy “Ageing is living: Promoting a Lifetime of Health and Well-being in the WHO European Region (2026-2030)” is entitled “Challenging ageism and preventing violence and discrimination against older persons”. 

Via the cooperation with WHO Europe JADE HEALTH will be able to do a lot to improve the quality of life of individuals living with dementia as well as to ease their carers´ and relatives´ life by knowledge sharing on new skills and best practises in the field of mental health, raising awareness on neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer, combat stigma against these vulnerable groups, as well as providing new ways of training and educational programmes for relatives and care staff of people living with the above illnesses. 

We are convinced that together with WHO we will succeed in the fulfilment of our undertaken mission to enhance policy development, early detection treatment options, sharing effective public policies and best practices to provide quality care for cognitively impaired people.

 

If you wish to learn more about JADE Health´s expanding stakeholder network, please visit our web section