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At the end of
this conference, which was specifically addressing the increasing
gap that characterises populations across the world, particularly
in developing countries, a statement was signed by 87 Ministers
of Health or their representatives on 5 June 2000 in Mexico
City.
Mexico
ministerial statement for the promotion of health
- Recognise
that the attainment of the highest possible standard of
health is a positive asset for the enjoyment of life and
necessary for social and economic development and equity.
- Acknowledge
that the promotion of health and social development is a
central duty and responsibility of governments, that all
sectors of society share.
- Are mindful
that, in recent years, through the sustained efforts of
governments and societies working together, there have been
significant health improvements and progress in the provision
of health services in many countries of the world.
- Realise that,
despite this progress, many health problems still persist
which hinder social and economic development and must therefore
be urgently addressed to further equity in the attainment
of health and well being.
- Are mindful
that, at the same time, new and re-emerging diseases threaten
the progress made in health.
- Realise that
it is urgent to address the social, economic and environmental
determinants of health and that this requires strengthened
mechanisms of collaboration for the promotion of health
across all sectors and at all levels of society.
- Conclude that
health promotion must be a fundamental component of public
policies and programmes in all countries in the pursuit
of equity and better health for all.
- Realise that
there is ample evidence that good health promotion strategies
of promoting health are effective.
Considering the
above, we subscribe to the following: ACTIONS
- To position
the promotion of health as a fundamental priority in local,
regional, national and international policies and programmes.
- To take the
leading role in ensuring the active participation of all
sectors and civil society, in the implementation of health
promoting actions which strengthen and expand partnerships
for health.
- To support
the preparation of country-wide plans of action for promoting
health, if necessary drawing on the expertise in this area
of WHO and its partners. These plans will vary according
to the national context, but will follow a basic framework
agreed upon during the fifth global conference on health
promotion, and may include among others:
- The identification
of health priorities and the establishment of healthy
public policies and programmes to address these.
- The support
of research which advances knowledge on selected priorities.
- The mobilisation
of financial and operational resources to build human
and institutional capacity for the development, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of country-wide plans of action.
- To establish
or strengthen national and international networks which
promote health.
- To advocate
that UN agencies be accountable for the health impact of
their development agenda.
- To inform
the Director General of the World Health Organization, for
the purpose of her report to the 107th session of the Executive
Board, of the progress made in the performance of the above
actions.
Further information on the 2000 5th global conference on health promotion in Mexico can be viewed
here
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