Venice Forum Declaration

Social and economic recovery after COVID-19 will depend upon healthy populations. Research shows clearly the centrality of healthy women and children to population well-being across generations. Yet national fiscal stimulus packages are insufficiently focused on the health and wellbeing of women and young children. Without this focus, future population resilience and hence economic prosperity remain at risk.

Leading biomedical and social science experts, economists, and public health leaders convened in five virtual panels over 22-24 March 2021 to consider the case for a radical rethink of current investment priorities for a sustainable future. This ‘Venice Forum’ is the starting point of an ambitious 2021-2022 roadmap to refocus national stimulus strategies and investments on a health and wellbeing-centred agenda for resilience and recovery. The Venice Forum is particularly focused on mothers and young children, recognizing that adolescent and adult health and wellbeing are being addressed in other fora.