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Explore health equity through the lenses of economics, policy, and global health challenges - Tackling health inequities in Wales and beyond

Health inequities remain a persistent challenge in Wales, as they do across Europe and globally.

Global commitments

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with Goal 10 explicitly focused on reducing inequalities.

Many other goals, such as Goal 1 (No poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), directly influence health and equity.  Progress towards these goals has been stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, making action more urgent than ever.

Public Health Wales provides leadership and coordination to enhance the reach and impact of global and international health activity via its International Health Strategy, which is an enabler of Public Health Wales’ Long term Strategy.

You can read more about the International Health Strategy in our further information pages.

WHO action on health equity

Aligned with the SDGs, the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (2025–2028) aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all. To support this , the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development  launched the Health Equity Status Report initiative (HESRi). HESRi provides evidence, tools, and policy options to:

  • Remove barriers that hold people back in health and life
  • Create conditions for everyone to prosper and flourish

This work led to the first WHO European Region Resolution on accelerating progress towards health, equity and leaving no one behind.

Wales as a global influencer

Wales has a long-standing collaboration with WHO, strengthening capacity and international partnerships to improve well-being and tackle health inequities. The WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being (WHO CC) at Public Health Wales works closely with the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Office for Investment for Health and Development to:

  • Drive sustainable investment in population well-being and health equity.
  • Position Wales as a live innovation site for health equity.
  • Share best practice internationally and learn from global expertise.

International Health Insights

International Health Insights draws on global experience to provide actionable intelligence and guidance, strengthening public health and the healthcare system in Wales. Originally launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the report series supported Wales’s dynamic public health response and recovery planning. Since 2022, the scope has expanded to cover a broad range of emerging and priority public health topics.

Materials aimed to increase health equity in Wales, the UK or international are available here.

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Page last reviewed: 21st January 2026