1. Challenges for an EU Health Strategy Bernard Merkel Head of the Health Strategy Unit Gastein, 4 October 2006 Workshop on Health Strategy

2. 2 Today’s presentation: 1.Why an EU Health Strategy now? 2. Challenges for an EU Health Strategy 3. (Possible) Key themes 4. The way ahead

3. 3 1.Why an EU Health Strategy (1) Because some issues need EU action global issues (e.g. threats, trade) cross-border issues (e.g. patient mobility) horizontal issues (e.g. ageing, technology, innovation, obesity, citizens’ agenda) Because EU and MS together can improve health in Europe set what can be done at EU level (co-ordination, global issues, synergies) see what can best be done at national/local level (MS policies, objectives, milestones)

4. 4 1.Why an EU Health Strategy now? (2) What we have done so far Policy Communications 2000, 2005 Consultation 2004 What is missing Overall objectives and milestones A strategic and integrated framework (all policies) Action on key themes Real change

5. 5 2.Challenges for an EU Health Strategy (1) Set out aims, objectives (priorities) and milestones to guide health policy for years to come building on current objectives (promote health and protect citizens) Provide strategic overall framework cross-policy approach to health health mainstreaming and synergies EU and Member States’ co-operation

6. 6 2.Challenges for an EU Health Strategy (2) Shape policy agenda on key concerns e.g. inequalities, global health, health systems Trigger change - deliver concrete results at all levels! Set up implementation means Voluntary “targets” EU and MS Regular monitoring/reporting on progress Update policy approach regularly

7. 7 3. (Possible) Key themes Bridging (the growing) Health inequalities Challenge: Health and economic gap Life expectancy (men) ranges from 65 to 78 years Investment in health ranges from 3.3 to over 11% of GDP Need: solidarity and co-ordination within and between MS Problem known: what can EU & MS do?

8. 8 3. (Possible) Key themes Responding to global health issues Challenge: inter-action EU and global level communicable diseases pandemics trade health and development aid Need: improve health outside EU borders, solidarity, input in international health agenda Problem known: what can EU & MS do?

9. 9 4. The way ahead Gathering stakeholders’ views Impact assessment Adoption of Strategy in June 2007 Implement strategy and regular monitoring of results Creation of implementation mechanism?? Which implementation method / instruments??