We invite the submission of abstracts for the 31^st International Conference on Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services (HPH).

Submissions should relate to the conference’s main theme or to key areas addressed by the 2020 HPH Standards and the work of the HPH Task Forces and Working Groups, as outlined further below.

The deadline for abstract submission is November 3, 2025, 18.00 CET.

Please follow the instructions below and make sure that all fields in the abstract form are completed according to the guidelines. 

Presentation formats

You may submit an abstract as one of the following types: 

• Oral presentation (10-15 minute presentation)
• Mini oral (pitch) presentation (3-5 minute presentation focusing on key messages and main findings)
• Poster display

Abstracts can be submitted in one of the following areas: Practice, Research, or Policy.

Dedicated sessions (workshops, symposia, round tables): A limited number of dedicated sessions will also be accepted. These must be submitted separately via email, using the official Word template. Early submission is strongly encouraged. Download the form here and send your proposal to: conference-secretariathphconferencesorg

 

General guidelines for submission

(applies to oral, mini oral, and poster presentations)

 Please note the following important information before submitting your abstract:

• Submission deadline: November 3, 2025, 18.00 CET.
• All abstracts must be submitted in English.
• Maximum length: 2.000 characters including spaces.
• Tables, graphics, or special characters are not allowed. Abbreviations should be avoided or explained at first use.
• Abstracts must be submitted via the online submission system. A confirmation email will be sent upon submission - please check your entry carefully before submitting!

Review and selection

• All abstracts received by the deadline will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
• Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent during the month of February 2026.
• Accepted abstracts will be published in the online program and the electronic abstract book.
• Submissions for oral or mini oral presentations may be reassigned to mini oral or poster format based on the evaluation by the Scientific Committee.
• A maximum of two abstracts per presenting author will be accepted regardless of presentation type (oral or poster).
• Presenters of accepted abstracts must be registered for the conference by March 16, 2026, or the contribution will be removed from the program.

Abstract structure

All abstracts must include the following sections:

• Title
• Background and objective
• Methods / intervention / approach
• Results / outcomes / observations
• Conclusions / lessons learned
• Relevance to HPH
• Relation to the conference’s main theme

Review criteria

To guide you in preparing your submission, please consider the criteria used by the Scientific Committee:

• Is the abstract relevant to health promoting hospitals and health services?
• Are background, objective, and methods/interventions clearly described?
• Are the results substantial and do they support the conclusions?
• Is the abstract coherent and clearly written (English language, explanation of terms, logical structure)?
• Are there any ethical concerns?

Keeping these points in mind will increase your chances of acceptance.

 

Conference topics

The topics below reflect the thematic areas available in the abstract submission system. When submitting your abstract, please select one or two relevant subtopics from the drop-down menu. This will help the organizers to schedule your presentation appropriately.

Main theme

Creating Sustainable Healthcare Systems to promote Health, Equity and Resilience in Times of Global Crises

• Advancing resilient and sustainable healthcare systems: 40 years of health promotion
• Health equity across the life course
• Anxiety, mental health and stress-related disorders: from concern to action
• Digital innovation and ethical use of technology
• The importance of partnerships for sustainable, equitable and resilient healthcare systems – challenges and opportunities

 

Topics related to 2020 HPH Standards and HPH Task Forces

Settings Approach: Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services

• Access to services and information
• Improving care of people with multiple health needs and comorbidity (e.g.: NCDs, mental illness, addiction, chronic conditions)
• Patient and staff empowerment, reducing distress and improving health and wellbeing
• Promoting healthy behavior of patients, staff and populations served
• Salutogenic, safe and healthy workplaces and care settings and the design of healthcare buildings
• Arts and culture in health promotion across different care settings
• Building climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare organizations
• Outcome measurement and health equity
• Governance models, policy, leadership, and organizational culture for HPH
• Monitoring, implementation, and evaluation of HPH strategies

Health Literacy-Oriented Approach: Empowering Through Communication and Information

• Health-literate healthcare organizations – a systems approach
• Communicating risk, self (and others) protection, preventive measures, and coping strategies during health crises
• Innovative approaches for delivering health information and health services

Equity-Oriented Approach: Promoting Health for Vulnerable Groups

• Older adults
• Children and youth
• Gender perspective in health
• Socially disadvantages groups: reducing the social gradient and supporting people living in poverty, migrants and refugees
• People with disabilities

Population, Societal and Ecological Approach: Promoting Multi-Level Interventions Across Society

• Reducing health inequities through inclusive and needs-based approaches
• Integration of hospital, primary, and community-based health and social services
• Health promotion interventions in local communities and among the population served
• Intersectoral interventions to create health promoting living conditions
• Promoting environmental health and sustainability