European Public Health Alliance Newsletter
European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) have published their Winter Newsletter
 | European Public Health Allianceputting citizens’ health at the heart of Europe |
Welcome to the Winter 2011 Newsletter
The year 2011 has been off to a strong start, and Brussels is restless as people take stock of 2010 and plan their activities for the next 12 months. This time last year, Brussels waited in expectation for the unveiling of the Europe2020 Strategy and the hearings of the Commissioners. One year later Brussels awaits the implementation of the EU2020 Strategy’s flagship initiatives and to see the political programme of the Hungarian Presidency be put into action. The public health community has worked tirelessly to bring out the full potential of health policy in the EU2020, and in this period a lot of action has been done that has not been in the normal health portfolio.
January marked the end of the consultation for the Healthy and Active Ageing European Innovation Partnership, included as a part of the “Innovation Union” – the EU`s new strategy for research and innovation. EPHA and many of its members responded to the consultation, emphasising that healthy ageing starts at a young age, and also the positive benefits of a healthy lifestyle on active ageing. At a debate on the Partnership in the European Parliament, EPHA`s Luiza Bara was a panelist and highlighted the importance that new technology does not increase health inequalities. She also conveyed the excitement of the public health community that health is one of the first issues tackled by the “Innovation Union”. The Partnership on Healthy and Active Ageing is important as it is the first partnership that was presented, and it will impact on the governance and organisation of future partnerships.
The winter months also proved to be a crucial time for health inequalities. First, in December EPHA organised a debate in the European Parliament to launch the European Charter on Health Equity with the goal to mobilise other social and environmental civil society actors to take cross-sectoral action on the issue. We encourage as many individuals and organisations to join our call and sign the Charter : more information can be found here. It seems like health inequalities is moving higher on the EU agenda : the Communication on the “EU Poverty Platform” draws attention to widening health inequalities within Member States that underline the link between health inequalities and poverty. The Communication proposes two key actions that will be beneficial to tackling health inequalities – the first is the establishment of a a network of experts on health system reforms to develop new models of more integrated care, and the second the undertaking of an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of health expenditure. The issue of health financing was also touched upon in the ENVI Committee Own-Initiative Report on Health Inequalities adopted on 25 January. MEPs warned that cuts in health budgets could increase inequalities across the EU and urged Member States to use their resources wisely to tackle health inequalities.
Financing of health systems was also one of the key issues of another opinion adopted by the ENVI Committee - Policy challenges and budgetary resources for a sustainable European Union after 2013. The adopted opinion called for long-term financial provisions under the next financial perspectives for public health priorities and for strategic follow-up of the existing Public Health Programme. In addition, the impact of investments in health structures was emphasised and the text urges that Structural Funds be dedicated to health infrastructure. The adoption of this report is the first step towards ensuring that health policy remains adequately financed despite the economic crisis and budget cuts in the next financial framework. This is particularly important as the Public Health Programme is also one of the priorities for the Hungarian Presidency. EPHA will continue to work with its members and other civil society stakeholders to ensure that public money meets public interest needs and adequately supports the well-being of all people living in the EU.
Thus, as 2011 slowly unfolds, the public health community continues its work with a renewed vigour and sense of expectation that health will continue to be prioritised at EU level. In 2010, a lot of progress was made on several dossiers and the public health community will constructively collaborate with the EU Institutions to bring them to a close. It is clear that for an effective Active and Healthy Ageing Partnerships, health inequalities must remain high on the EU agenda, and for adequate financing for health policy at EU level, “business as usual” will not suffice.
10th Feb. 2011