Northern Dimension
The Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS) provides a platform for expert-level cooperation in the field of health and wellbeing. NDPHS aims to lead the way to sustainable and inclusive societies with equal opportunities for good health and wellbeing.
NDPHS brings together experts and political decision-makers from the Nordic and Baltic countries, the European Commission, the World Health Organisation and several other international bodies. The Partnership strengthens the sharing of knowledge, learning from others and health promotion. By highlighting the strengths and expertise of the Partners and promoting research and innovation, the Partnership supports evidence-based decision-making.
NDPHS functions as the Coordinator of the Policy Area Health of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. In this role, NDPHS promotes:
- active and healthy ageing
- wellbeing economy and the Health in All Policies approach
- stakeholder and institutional capacity to tackle regional health challenges.
Cooperation draws on thematic areas
Central to NDPHS activities are the Secretariat, based in Stockholm, and the international expert groups. The Partnership's two cross-cutting thematic areas are:
- Active and healthy ageing, which also covers topics such as the digital transformation, integrated care and mental health promotion
- Economy of wellbeing and the Health in All Policies approach
The key themes of the international expert groups are:
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Primary Healthcare
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis
- Chronic Non-communicable Diseases
- Prison Health and Healthcare
Finland coordinates two expert groups, Occupational Safety and Health, and HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, which are led by experts appointed from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the Finnish Lung Health Association. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health participates in the Partership's meetings held for public officials and ministers. The Partnership's work is guided and coordinated by the Committee of Senior Representatives, which meets twice a year. Political direction is provided by a ministerial-level conference (Partnership Annual Conference), which convenes every other year.
NDPHS has suspended all cooperation with Russia due to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. NDPHS is currently exploring opportunities to cooperate with Ukraine.