THE Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA) CEO, and veteran “CityNews” columnist, Michael Moore is now the President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). The announcement was made at the WFPHA Annual General Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It’s a great honour to be elected into this position and I hope to live up to my predecessors’ legacy. I’m looking forward to working with PHAA and WFPHA to achieve a united global action plan to improve public health worldwide,” Michael said.

“My key goal for my two year term presidency, is to encourage public health associations and nations throughout the world to adopt and implement the Charter for the Public’s Health. The Charter provides a comprehensive, clear and flexible framework that can be applied globally and within individual countries whether low, middle or high-income.

“The Declaration of Alma-Ata on Primary Health Care in 1978 and The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion in 1986 had a major influence on improving health throughout the world. The intention of The Charter is to take the next step in providing a succinct and practical implementation guideline to public health associations to work with other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), universities, civil society and governments to plan and implement strategies for better health outcomes across the globe.

“This is the beginning of a process embracing the conceptualization of global public health and the development of strategic capacities for all professionals that will be part of a new health era, more dedicated to preventive solutions,” concluded Mr Moore.

The Charter was officially launched during the World Health Assembly at the side event “Global and local: Public Health and Primary Care in action!” held on 23 May 2016. A debate with the general public and different experts will take place on 7 June 2016 at the University of Geneva.

The “A Global Charter for the Public’s Health” is available at: wfpha.org