Public health and the EU Francesco Longu Communications Officer European Public Health Alliance Brussels, 27 January 2006

Presentation outline What is EPHA? How does it work? How is responsibility for health issues covered at EU level? What do the EU current treaties say about public health? Does health need to be addressed at EU level? Q&A

About EPHA A network of 116 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues Our mission is to improve the health of European citizens and to increase their participation in EU policy-making

EPHA members (1/3) EPHA has two categories of membership: Full members are Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) active in the public health sector. Full members have two votes at the Annual General Assembly Associate members are other not-for-profit organisations, professional bodies, academic institutions and local or regional authorities. Associate members have one vote at the Annual General Assembly EPHA membership fees are based on the income of the member organisation

EPHA members (2/3) Health advocates Disease specific patient groups Academic researchers Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and pharmacists) Consumer groups Environment organisations Development organisations

EPHA members (3/3) International networks European networks National organisations Complete list of EPHA members:

EPHA organisational structure (1/3) The Annual General Assembly > Convened once a year (extraordinary meetings are possible) > Discusses the broad policy of EPHA > Elects the Executive Committee > Members vote according to their membership category > May include consultation meetings and/or training seminars for members

EPHA organisational structure (2/3) The Executive Committee > Seven people elected for a two-year period - gender equality and balance between NGOs and professionals are required > Sets out the annual work programme > Sets priorities and targets for EPHA > Reviews EPHA financial management and annual accounts > Supervises the EPHA Secretariat and appoints the appropriate staff

EPHA organisational structure (3/3) The EPHA Secretariat > Manages the “day to day” work of EPHA > Ensures that the full work programme of the organisation is carried out efficiently and effectively > Actively contributes to the development of good organisational practice > Currently five staff members, located in Brussels Working Groups Policy Coordination Meetings

EPHA membership benefits Electronic Newsletter Health Alerts Members Only section of our website Newslists Daily information help desk Visibility in EU policy making circles Support for advocacy work Representation and participation at European and international fora

How does EPHA work? (1/2) Advocacy: > Working groups. At present there are five ongoing working groups on the following subjects: Alcohol, Food and Nutrition, Health and Environment, Health and Enlargement, and Pharmaceuticals > Policy Co-ordination Meetings. Meeting every two months in Brussels, this group is open to all EPHA members. Contributions to the meeting are also received via Information exchange Membership services

How does EPHA work? (2/2) Lobbying: > EU institutions Networking: > Other health NGOs > Other thematic NGOs Tracking policy issues: > Day to day analysis > Mailings - Briefings

What does EPHA stand for? Health protection as a goal in all EU policy-making - e.g. health impact assessments for all proposed legislation Involvement of citizens in decision-making related to their own health Equal access to good quality healthcare for all EU citizens Addressing health inequalities Ensuring that EU internal and external policies actually contribute towards better health

What are the goals of EPHA? Develop key consultative role for civil society as partners in health Promoting healthy public policies throughout EU activities EU Policy to be based on the highest common denominator rather than lowest.

Health in the European Commission (1/2) DG Health and Consumer Protection DG Environment DG Employment and Social Affairs DG Internal Market and Services DG Competition DG Agriculture DG Development DG Education and Culture

Health in the European Commission (2/2) DG Trade DG Research DG Information Society DG Transport DG Enterprise DG Tax and Customs EMEA, ECDC, EFSA, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

Health in the European Parliament Committees Environment, Public Health and Food Safety* (ENVI) Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Internal Market and Consumer Protection* (IMCO) Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Inter-group on health

What does the EU treaty state? Article 152 of the Amsterdam Treaty states: “A high level of health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities” But the EU must respect Member State responsibilities for organisation and delivery of health care

What does the new Constitutional Treaty state? Article 179 – Public Health as coordinating, complimentary or supporting action “Action by the Union, which shall complement national policies, shall be directed towards improving public health, preventing human illness and diseases, and obviating sources of danger to physical and mental health”. “The Union shall complement the Member States' action in reducing drugs-related health damage, including information and prevention”. “Union action shall respect the responsibilities of the Member States for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. The responsibilities of the Member States shall include the management of health services and medical care and the allocation of the resources assigned to them”. Article goes on to mention “the protection of public health regarding tobacco and the abuse of alcohol”.

What EU rights to health exist? “Everyone has the right of access to preventive healthcare and the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national law and practices” Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, Adopted in Nice, 12/2000

Why health needs to be addressed at EU level Many EU policies have an impact – direct or indirect – on the health of EU citizens Implementation of internal market legislation is de-facto creating policy on health related issues The European Commissioner has greater powers to promote animal welfare than to protect human health

European Public Health Alliance Rue d’Arlon B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: Fax: