1. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 A definition of health A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity World Health Organisation

2. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 The right to health The States Parties to the present Covenant recognise the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 12

3. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 Interpretation of the right to health n An inclusive right extending not only to timely and appropriate health care but also to the underlying determinants of health (safe water, housing, food, environment, living/working conditions, information) n The right to health is not to be understood as a right to be healthy. The right to health contains both freedoms (to control body, sexual/reproductive rights, from torture and medical experimentation) and entitlements (system of health protection) n Participation of the population in all health related decision- making at all levels. General Comment by the Committee on Social and Economic Rights, May 2000

4. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 Evaluation criteria for health rights n Availability : functioning public health and healthcare facilities, sufficient quantity n Accessibility : no exceptions; physical, economic, information, non discrimination n Acceptability : culturally appropriate and medically ethical, improve health n Quality : medically and scientifically appropriate and of good quality

5. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 What does the EU treaty state? Article 152 of the Amsterdam Treaty states: n “a high level of health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities” n But the EU must respect Member State responsibilities for organisation and delivery of health care

6. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 What EU rights to health exist? “Everyone has the right of access to preventative 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

7. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 European Governance issues n Citizens put health in the top 5 priority areas they want addressed by the EU. n Health to be fully integrated in all EU policies n Very limited resources allocated to public health at EU level n Citizens are stakeholders not just consumers of healthcare n Consultation and participation in health decision-making.

8. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 The role of NGOs n Advocacy of health rights for all n Representation of citizen and public interest n Awareness raising on health and human rights issues n Monitoring of implementation of health rights n Challenging violations of health rights

9. EPHA EGM 2/12/2002 Goals for EPHA n A rights based approach into health policy making n Campaign to strengthen the EU competence on public health in Convention and new EU Treaty n EU health policy to be based around delivering the highest attainable standards in health rather than the lowest common denominator