WHS Academic Alliance Working Group Advances Global Efforts to Integrate Oral Health Into Overall Health

The WHS Academic Alliance Working Group on Oral Health and General Health is strengthening global collaboration on the links between oral health and overall health. The group brings together more than 30 experts from 12 WHS Academic Alliance member institutions worldwide, with Sapienza University of Rome serving as coordinator.

The working group focuses on advancing cross-sector collaboration to develop scalable strategies, improve education and inform actionable policy. Its aim is to support prevention, improve health outcomes and contribute to more sustainable health systems through stronger integration of oral health into broader health agendas.

Key areas of work include the relationship between oral health and systemic health, oral health across the life course and the integration of oral health into universal health coverage as well as the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases. The group emphasizes translating scientific evidence into practical approaches that can be applied across different health systems and settings.

By connecting expertise across disciplines and regions, the working group seeks to reinforce the understanding that oral health is a core component of overall wellbeing and a critical entry point for prevention and equity in healthcare systems worldwide.

Stefania Mondello contributes as Young Physician Leader within the working group

Stefania Mondello is contributing to the WHS Academic Alliance Working Group on Oral Health and General Health as part of her engagement in the Young Physician Leaders programme of the InterAcademy Partnership. Her participation reflects the role of emerging global health leaders in advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening the science policy interface in areas where integrated approaches are essential for better health outcomes.