Governance for health equity: insights from the WHO World Report on SDHE (Webinar)

16 July 2025 14:00 – 15:00 CET
Virtual Zoom webinar

Join the WHO Global Knowledge Network for Health Equity (GKNHE) and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and the Social Determinants of Health and the Social Determinants for Health for a webinar on governance for health equity. This session will explore the role of governance in addressing social determinants of health, and how effective structures, participation, and policy coherence can be leveraged to reduce health inequities.

Objectives

  • Understand the role of governance in addressing the social determinants of health and advancing health equity.
  • Learn how countries are building governance structures that support multisectoral collaboration, accountability, and public participation.
  • Explore practical experiences, challenges, and innovations from Australia and Canada.
  • Engage with experts and country partners through a panel discussion and Q&A.

Target audiences

This webinar is intended for policymakers, government officials, and other stakeholders interested in governance for health equity. It will also benefit researchers, practitioners, and advocates working on governance for health equity. 

Languages

This webinar will be conducted in English, with live interpretation available in French and Spanish.

Programme

Welcome and introductions

Etienne Krug, Director, Department of Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization

Key Findings and Recommendations of the World Report on SDHE

Sudhvir Singh, Unit Head, Equity and Health, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization

Presentations on Experts and Country Experiences on Governance for Health Equity

Facilitated by Dr Nicole Valentine, Technical Officer, Equity and Health, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization

Country example from Australia - Ross Hawkins, First Assistant Secretary, Health Systems Strategy Division, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australia

Country example from Canada - Ahalya Mahendra, Senior Policy Analyst, and Kelsey Lucyk, Manager, Health Equity Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada

Country example from Saudi Arabia - Dr. Nouf Alnumair, Secretary General, Health in All Policies Ministerial Committee, Saudi Arabia

Panel Discussion & Q&A

Facilitated by Dr Gökhan Depo, Coordinator, WHO Collaborating Centre on Health in All Policies and the Social Determinants of Health, Tampere University, Finland

Wrap up

Dr Omar Cherkaoui, Coordinator, Global Knowledge Network for Health Equity, Equity and Health, Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization