Around 3000 delegates from over 83 countries gathered at the 15th World Congress on Public Health in Melbourne in early April to share their experiences, find a common vision and agree on the actions needed to make the difference in global public health.

Global Public Health leaders have animated inspiring sessions adopting the Global Charter for the Public’s Health, developed by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) in collaboration with WHO, as common thread. Delegates reflected upon the reasons why populist politicians and media are portraying public health leaders as ‘enemies of the people’. This happens despite the fact that public health has transformed the world into a safer and healthier place, even by foreseeing health consequences of international trade agreements.

Several sessions covered the big Tobacco block of public health, and why government sovereign wealth funds invest in the tobacco industry, while their health budgets pay the high costs of lung cancer.

There was a global consensus to consider health as a political choice and on the need to have public health professionals more politically astute.

Inspiring debates took place regarding obesity and climate - two interlinked crises that we have created. The impact of celebrities in marketing, fast food and high sugar drinks were all topics of the discussion.

Special attention was paid to inequities, minorities and particularly indigenous people proposing self-governance as a mean to set up diverse and effective Indigenous Nations and communities in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. At the congress, the 1st Indigenous Working Group under the WFPHA was formed in the yarning circle (see photo).

The vision of the young generation has been presented in dedicated sessions as well as during the closing ceremony. Young professionals have claimed their role and are ready to take the lead, while utilizing advantageous new technologies, communication approaches and tools.

On World Health Day, WFPHA has celebrated its 50th anniversary and committed to advocating for public health at the global level for the next 50 years. Dr Chan, WHO Director-General, as well as many other Global Public Health leaders sent congratulatory messages to the Federation.

At the end of the congress, delegates and congress partners have demanded that the world’s leaders make the public’s health a priority by improving health outcomes for all; fighting inequity as the primary driver of poor health; and working with political, social, environmental, and economic change across all sectors for better and more sustainable health. In the context of this demand for action, delegates have called on governments to enable public health professionals and their organisations to carry out their work to develop further public health functions and quality health systems as global public resources; to hold all sectors accountable for the health impacts of their policies and actions, consistent with the intent of the social determinants of health and their responsibilities to strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, delegates have called for the immediate and total abolition of the use of chemical warfare in violent conflict, in reaction to the appalling attacks in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun occurred during the congress.

This congress has created the momentum for generating policies and actions for healthier communities, healthier people and a healthier world. Delegates have committed to act now and to convene and debate results and new ideas at the 16th World Congress on Public Health that will be held in Rome in October 2020.

Written by Marta Lomazzi, Executive Manager, World Federation of Public Health Associations