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The Slovak Republic joins the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy and Human Rights
By joining the Coalition, the Slovak Republic reaffirms its commitment to strengthening health literacy as a key element of public health, human rights, and social inclusion. Minister of Health Kamil Šaško underlined the importance of health literacy as a foundational element of effective,...
Albania and Mexico join the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy and Human Rights
By joining the Coalition, Albania and Mexico reaffirms their commitment to strengthening health literacy as a key element of public health, human rights, and social inclusion. In confirming Albania’s participation, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala highlighted the importance of...
Respect for autonomy in mental healthcare: Council of Europe adopts new recommendation
The Committee of Ministers has adopted a Recommendation on respect for autonomy in mental healthcare, which aims at ensuring respect for the autonomy of persons receiving mental healthcare and at preventing the use of coercion in the provision of such care. It reaffirms the principle of free and...
Evaluating the ethical and human rights implications of chatbots
On 5 June 2026, the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights in Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) gathered experts, youth representatives, and policymakers to discuss the ethical and human rights implications of conversational and generative AI for young people’s health and...
Strasbourg debate addresses exposure to social media, well-being, and policy responses to mitigate risks
Social media and children’s mental health: right answers are rarely black and white
Any policy decisions about access of children to social media should be guided by a children’s rights approach, informed by the latest research and, most importantly, by children’s voices. With many countries reviewing their legislation on children’s access to social media, the participants of a...
Portugal and San Marino Join the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy and Human Rights
Portugal and San Marino have officially joined the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy and Human Rights, reaffirming their commitment to human rights and equitable access to healthcare. In confirming Portugal’s participation, Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins highlighted the...
Equipping Public Health Professionals to Enhance Health Literacy
Health literacy makes a fundamentally important contribution to safeguarding the human rights principle of equitable access to healthcare, especially when existing healthcare resources are less accessible to certain populations due to their circumstances. Health literacy, the ability of...
Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy and Human Rights
Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, Sevlid Hurtić highlighted the importance of health literacy for improving public health, protecting human rights, strengthening social inclusion and promoting democratic values. Health literacy is a crucial factor in enabling...
Andorra and the Republic of Moldova join the Council of Europe Coalition for Health Literacy
This important milestone reinforces a shared commitment to building more inclusive, people-centred and resilient health systems across Europe. It reflects a strengthened commitment to promoting health literacy as a key lever for improving health policies and practices. Health literacy is a...
Health literacy: Developing more accessible and inclusive health system in Armenia
Health literacy makes a fundamentally important contribution to safeguarding the human rights principle of equitable access to healthcare, especially when existing healthcare resources are less accessible to certain populations due to their circumstances. Health literacy, the ability of...
