About us

The Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention aims to contribute to health for all by addressing the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These “upstream” factors influence people’s opportunities, choices and behaviours and have been shown to have a greater impact on health outcomes than health care or genetics. Addressing the determinants of health is essential to promoting overall health and well-being and to reducing health inequities.

The Department assists national and local governments, as well as other stakeholders, in advocating and acting on both the determinants of health and the major risk factors that drive noncommunicable diseases and injuries. Social and economic conditions strongly shape people’s exposure to risk factors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, health-harming diets, physical inactivity, violence and injuries. By addressing these interconnected drivers, we help reduce the burden of disease and prevent injuries before they occur.

We provide normative guidance for effective multisectoral action and collaboration to tackle the root causes of disease and injury. We also support the development of policies and prevention programmes, including those on alcohol, tobacco, physical activity, healthy environments and injury and violence prevention.

The department works on a number of health topics:

• alcohol
• commercial determinants of health
• drowning
• health promotion
• physical activity
• road traffic injuries
• social determinants of health (including social connection)
• tobacco
• urban health
• violence against children 

A number of cross-cutting activities are also undertaken by the department, including:  supporting countries on multisectoral and multistakeholder engagement (including with the private sector); the development of fiscal and legal measures on key risk factors; the use of behavioural science to drive change and strengthen the agency of people and communities towards better health outcomes; and supporting participatory governance for health to empower communities.

Mission statement

We advance health for all by working with governments and partners to address the social determinants of health and the major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. Through leadership, multisectoral collaboration and evidence-based guidance, we tackle the root causes of noncommunicable diseases and injuries and provide specialized technical assistance to support policies and programmes that create healthier, more equitable societies.

Our units

Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)

We provide global leadership on science and evidence-based policy to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, and their devastating health, social, environmental and economic impacts.

This is achieved through three-level coordination, providing specialized technical assistance and advocacy to support Member States in effectively implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to maximize country impact.

Physical Activity Promotion and Alcohol Harm Prevention (PAP)

We enable people (of all ages and abilities) to be more physically active and to prevent the harm caused by the use of alcohol, by setting global norms and standards and providing evidence-based policy guidance.

Violence and Injury Prevention (VIP)

We act to prevent violence and injury and save lives by making safety a shared societal value. We engage partners across sectors to strengthen how data are collected and used, and to build evidence that drives effective prevention and timely care and support – protecting those most at risk. Our particular focus is on road safety, drowning and fall prevention and the prevention of violence against children.

Global Ambassador Programme (AMB)

Acting as the Secretariat for the WHO Global Ambassador Programme, we support policy-makers and populations by working to prevent NCDs and injuries through raising global awareness of their importance, championing cost-effective solutions, and mobilizing cities to take local action.

Fiscal and Legal Measures (FLM)

We provide specialized support on fiscal and legal issues in the development of WHO guidance. We also provide specific guidance on fiscal and legal measures and assist governments adopting them, with a focus on risk factors for NCDs, and road traffic injuries. We monitor implementation of fiscal measures globally.

Determinants, Urban health, Promotion and Behaviours (DUB)

We act to promote health and well-being for all and reduce inequities by addressing the social, economic, commercial, behavioural and environmental conditions shaping people’s lives. We generate and translate evidence, develop tools, and provide technical assistance to strengthen systems and the agency of people and communities.