Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

09-May-2025

Arch Hellen Med, 42(Supplement 1), 2025, 16-22

SPECIAL ARTICLE

Public health in the 21st century – Redefining the public health system in Greece in the post-COVID era

A.D. Tsouros,¹ J. Kyriopoulos [†],² Ε. Thireos,³ K. Souliotis,⁴ X. Contiades,⁵ A. Vozikis⁶
¹Former Director of Policy and Governance for Health and Wellbeing, World Health Organization (WHO) Europe and Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, United States of America,
²President of The Institute of Health Economics – Died in 2022,
³General Practitioner/Family Physician, Director of National Health System, Head of General Directorate, National Agency for Quality Assurance in Health SA, President of Athens Medical Society, thens,
⁴Professor of Health Policy, Dean of the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Korinth,
⁵Professor of Public Law and Social Administration, Panteion University, and President of the Center for European Constitutional Law, Athens, 6Professor, Laboratory of Health Economics and Management (LabHEM), Department of Economics, University of Pireus, Pireus

This article outlines key policy proposals and strategic priorities for reforming Greece's public health system in the post-COVID-19 era. It emphasizes health as a fundamental human right and a core pillar of sustainable development, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The action plan, developed within the "1821–2021 initiative" of the Bodossaki Foundation, was based on a participatory methodology, engaging the scientific community, local authorities, and civil society. It is structured around four main pillars –political, scientific, strategic, and operational– and focuses on interventions targeting health determinants, intersectoral governance, and the reduction of health inequalities. The 17 key proposals of the plan form a comprehensive road map for systemic reform, aiming to establish a modern, resilient, and equitable public health system. Public health is repositioned at the centre of policymaking, not only as a healthcare service but as a population-based approach to prevention, protection, and health promotion. Leadership, governance, coordination, and public accountability are highlighted as critical conditions for success, ensuring the integration of health into all policies and the preparedness of the system to respond to future crises and societal challenges.

Key words: Governance, Policies, Public health, Services, System.