Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has published a new brochure entitled “Right to health: what can local and regional politicians do?” 

Health is a human right, not just a matter of public policy. Local and regional authorities have a key role to play in ensuring that this right is upheld, notably by planning, financing, delivering and coordinating health services, as well as by addressing the social and environmental factors.

This new publication presents the key standards that local and regional health policies should guarantee: availability, acceptability, accessibility and quality of health services. It emphasises the need to tackle inequalities and discrimination, ensure that services respond to local needs, and make sure that care is accessible, affordable, safe and evidence-based. 

It also highlights a number of issues that local and regional authorities should address when developing and implementing public policies, including mental health, ageing populations, environmental health, and crisis preparedness and resilience. 

A practical checklist helps elected representatives assess the impact of their decisions on health. It encourages them, in particular, to consider access to health services, non-discrimination, the reduction of inequalities and the needs of older persons. 

  Discover the leaflet “Right to health: what can local and regional politicians do?”