Anna Odone, Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine at the University of Pavia and President of Section III of the Superior Health Council, has been named Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). The appointment, proposed by the WHO European Regional Director Hans Kluge, was formalized on July 6 in Copenhagen, during the Board’s inaugural meeting at WHO/Europe’s European headquarters.
«I welcome this appointment – says Anna Odone – with a deep sense of responsibility and I thank the Director Kluge for the trust placed in me. The impact of health policies increasingly depends on the ability to translate the available scientific evidence into timely, effective, and equitable decisions. In a context characterized by unprecedented challenges to healthcare in Europe, strengthening the dialogue between the scientific community and public decision-makers is essential. The Scientific Advisory Board is formed precisely with this mission, and it will be a privilege for me to lead its work.»
The Board
The Scientific Advisory Board, established under the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2), is an independent scientific advisory body designed to support the strategy that will guide WHO/Europe’s actions in the coming years.
The Board is tasked with strengthening the processes by which the World Health Organization develops, evaluates, and translates scientific evidence into health policy recommendations for the 53 Member States of the European Region. Composed of twelve experts of internationally recognized prestige, selected through a highly competitive European call, it will be charged with providing scientific and strategic guidance to the WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Among its functions are identifying European-level public health priorities, strengthening methodological rigor in the synthesis and evaluation of evidence, promoting innovative tools to translate research findings into public health decisions, and supporting the development of health policy recommendations across different national contexts.
In her role as Chair, Professor Odone will lead the Board’s work, help set its agenda in collaboration with WHO/Europe, and coordinate the activities of the working groups that will be established on the main strategic themes.
Abbonati a Karla Miller
