Public health

EU Health Strategy and Health Programme

EU action is based on its Health Strategy , which sets out three ambitious objectives to help people to live not only longer, but also healthier:

• fostering good health in an ageing Europe
• protecting people from health threats
• supporting dynamic health systems and new technologies.

The EU Health Programme helps to reach the objectives of the strategy to complement, support and add value to the policies and actions of EU countries, particularly in:

• protecting and promoting health – including reducing health inequalities
• providing more information and knowledge on health
• strong cooperation with stakeholders.

The Programme is managed by the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers, based in Luxembourg.

Preventing diseases

We can do a lot to protect our own health and prevent disease, for example:

• Watching what and how much we eat, drink and exercise. Obesity is a major cause of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. The EU is working to promote responsible food labelling so consumers can tell what they are eating.
• Making use of early detection schemes. The Commission is working for screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers to be available throughout the EU, and bringing together experts from all over the EU to share their knowledge, help avoid scattered actions and duplication of work, and make the best use of resources in this area.
• Limiting alcohol and tobacco use. The EU makes sure citizens are informed about the health problems associated with habits (smoking, diet, alcohol abuse) which can cause chronic diseases.
• Using vaccination where appropriate. The EU and national authorities are looking at ways to increase the coverage of seasonal flu vaccination.

Early warning and response

Threats to public health are a permanent cause of concern for health authorities all over the world. The EU and its member countries work to build preparedness and response capacity (including early warning systems) to counter these threats – as in the case of the H1N1 ('swine flu') pandemic of 2009.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm assesses emerging health threats, enabling the EU to respond quickly to public health emergencies.

It pools and shares knowledge on current and emerging health threats, and works with its national counterparts to develop Europe-wide disease surveillance.

Pharmaceuticals

All new medicines have to be authorised before they can be placed on the EU market.

Once authorised and placed on the market, the safety of medicines is monitored throughout their lifespan. The EU's system of pharmaco-vigilance helps to ensure that quick action is taken, such as suspending or withdrawing the marketing permit, if a medicine causes any unacceptable adverse reactions.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), London coordinates the scientific evaluation of the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products.

Research and innovation

The EU will spend €6bn on health research between 2007-13 under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). The emphasis is on:

• translating basic discoveries into clinical applications
• developing and validating new therapies
• health promotion and prevention strategies
• better diagnostic tools and medical technologies
• sustainable and efficient healthcare systems.

Access to medical treatment everywhere in the EU

People generally prefer to receive healthcare close to where they live, but sometimes it is easier or necessary to go to another EU country, for example where the nearest healthcare facility is just across the border in another country, or where specialist treatment is only available abroad.

An EU law (to be implemented by EU countries by 2013) on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare will clarify the right for Europeans to be treated in another EU country and be reimbursed. It will also:

• make it easier for national health authorities to work closer together and exchange information on quality and safety standards of healthcare
• make sure prescriptions can be recognised in other EU countries
• prepare the way for "European Reference Networks" of specialised centres of expertise, so health experts across Europe can share best practices on healthcare.

Another initiative already in place - the European health insurance card makes it easier for holidaymakers and business travellers to claim their right to healthcare if they fall ill in another EU or European country.

Health – a global approach

Global health refers to health issues which transcend national boundaries and governments which can be influenced only at the level of the global determining factors. These can include trade, migration, security, food security and climate change.

The EU Commission works closely with strategic partners such as the WHO within a global health policy framework which identifies six main challenges:

• equity
• coherence in response to globalisation
• access and innovation
• health as a human right
• governance
• research

Other key themes include:

• solidarity at global level – not just in development aid but also in policies relating to workforce and access to medicines
• coherence between relevant internal and external EU policies.