Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
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: http://www.epha.org/r/14
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 e-mail
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
39-41 Rue d’Arlon
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel: +32 2 230 30 56
Fax: +32 2 233 38 80
www.epha.org
