Advocating for public health at EU level Anne Hoel European Public Health Alliance Brussels, 21 November 2006

Outline of presentation Who is EPHA – the European Public Health Alliance? The role of civil society organisations The EU and health – what is on the agenda?

About EPHA A network of 116 non governmental and not-for-profit organisations across Europe working on health and health-related issues EPHA's mission is to promote and protect the health of all people living in Europe and increase the participation of citizens in health-related policy making at the European level.

EPHA members (1/2) Health advocates Disease specific patient groups Academic researchers Health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses and pharmacists) Consumer groups Environment organisations Development organisations

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.

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

EU and health – the main players

EU and Health - Who’s who – other players International organisations and institutions Local and regional authorities Social partners Think tanks Chambers of commerce Trade associations Consultancies, lawyers and lobbyists NGOs Medias

EU and Health - The role of NGOs Many EU policies have an impact – direct or indirect – on the health of EU citizens 15,000 to 20,000 lobbyists in Brussels and ONLY 10% are NGOs representing citizens’ interests Networking and alliances are the ONLY way to make our voice heard - You are unlikely to succeed alone. Use other NGOs resources rather than “re-invent the wheel” on your own.

EU and Health - The role of NGOs – Advocacy Information services - overview of EU institutions, tracking policy and political events Introductions to policy-makers, Networking - meeting the other key actors, putting faces to the names, stakeholder analysis Visibility - raising the profile of your organisation, ensuring that your voice is heard Lobbying - getting your viewpoints across and providing detailed expertise (amendments for legislation, data and statistics, writing reports)

EU and Health – the role of NGOs as watch-dogs  Challenge - the policy-makers and other stakeholders to address concerns or provide evidence and arguments for their positions  Empower - provide the tools for NGOs to act, eg draft letters, opportunities to sign-up, attend meetings with policy-makers.  Represent - bringing forward the diversity of voices of civil society, public interest, visibility through the media.  Follow-up - keep up the momentum, follow the policy through to implementation, evaluation and review

The health agenda for /2 EU Health budget for the next 7 years: 365,6 million Euros = 11 cents per citizen per year…. Where is health in the policies of the EU????

The health agenda for /2 EU health Strategy (SANCO) Mental Health Strategy (SANCO) Nutrition Strategy and nutrition labelling (SANCO) Alcohol Strategy (and raising VAT taxes?) (SANCO) CAP – Common Agriculture Policy (towards a healthier CAP?) (AGRI) Information to Patients (IND) Demographic changes (EMPL) Audiovisual policy (INFSO) Health services initiative (SANCO) and services of general interest (EMPL) Smoke-free Europe? (SANCO) Environment and Health (mercury, chemicals, etc…) (ENV) The Road Safety Action Plan (TRANS)

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