EuroHealthNet Annual Seminar 2026: Health promotion and prevention in the digital era

The rapid advance of digital technologies and the acceleration of artificial intelligence is reshaping societies in profound ways, with far-reaching implications for health and wellbeing. This digital transformation is a key determinant of health, as it interacts with the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.

Over recent years, significant efforts have been made to integrate digital health solutions into public health settings, a shift accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic through the widespread adoption of tools such as telehealth platforms and digital trackers. At the same time, major policy developments, such as the European Health Data Space and the Digital Services Act, are redefining governance structures. Today, public health professionals and policymakers are facing a crisis of declining mental health among young people due to social media use. New challenges continue to emerge: understanding and navigating the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on public health, alongside the evolving impact of new regulatory frameworks such as the European Union’s AI Act.

This raises a critical question: how can we ensure that the digital and AI transformation advances health equity and wellbeing, rather than amplifying existing gaps and barriers or even becoming a threat to health? Marking the 40th anniversary of the WHO Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, EuroHealthNet’s Annual Seminar 2026 will explore this question by examining promising solutions to strengthening health promotion and disease prevention in the digital era. The seminar will offer a timely moment to reflect on the Charter, and explore the role of public health professionals in navigating this evolving digital landscape. With a strong focus on presenting evidence, policy tools and best practices, the seminar will address:

• Strategic considerations for health promotion and prevention in the digital era, including key trends across the European region and OECD countries, as well as the anticipated impact of legislative frameworks and national policy initiatives;
• Promising initiatives in health promotion and prevention, showcasing practical examples in areas such as digital wellbeing and safety for children, the use of AI, the testing of health app quality standards, and tools supporting healthy ageing.