Taranto, Italy | 12 October 2026
The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) participated in the international meeting “One Health, Air Pollution, Digital Innovation & Social Health Inequalities – European and Balkan Perspectives for Public Health Resilience,” hosted by ASL Taranto, Italy, on October 12, 2026.
Bringing together public health authorities and experts from Italy – Local Health Authority of Taranto (ASL Taranto) – Calliope Center on Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer Unit, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the meeting explored how to address environmental exposure, social inequalities, and emerging digital technologies through more integrated and resilient public health policies.
SEEHN was represented by Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, Ms Vesna Arsova, SEEHN Financial Officer, along with Dr. Igor Spiroski from the Institute of Public Health of North Macedonia and Mr. Goran Miljević from the Public Health Institute of the Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In her intervention, Dr. Paduraru highlighted the shared health challenges facing the Western Balkans, including the burden of air pollution, persistent health outcome inequalities, and the need to strengthen regional cooperation to support European integration.
Drawing on regional evidence, she emphasized that PM2.5 concentrations across all six Western Balkan economies remain above WHO-recommended levels, with North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina experiencing particularly high rates of pollution-attributable mortality.
The contributions from Skopje and Banja Luka provided additional perspectives on environmental health surveillance, epidemiological monitoring, social vulnerability, and institutional responses to air pollution.
The program also explored the potential of the One Health approach, integrated environmental and health monitoring, and artificial intelligence and digital innovation to improve public health decision-making.
A dedicated working session focused on opportunities for inter-institutional cooperation and the development of joint initiatives using European funding instruments, including Horizon Europe, EU4Health, IPA III, Cost-action and Interreg.
Marking its 25th anniversary in 2026, SEEHN continues to support regional dialogue, the exchange of expertise, and cooperation among its member countries. The discussions in Taranto underscored the importance of these efforts in addressing environmental health challenges that transcend national borders and require coordinated responses.
