The EU Strategy for Youth: European Commission recognises health as key field of action

Youth cooperation at a European level is well established and is currently based on three pillars:

 Active involvement of young people via the OMC, involving Member States reports and structure dialogue with youth;
 Social and occupational integration through the implementation of the European Youth Pact under the Lisbon Strategy;
 Mainstreaming youth in other policies, such as anti-discrimination and health.

Whilst the OMC is still viewed as an appropriate tool for cooperation, the Communication calls for a reinforced cross-cutting approach to improve efficiency and the capacity to deliver results. Structured dialogue should be be better organised and should reach out to unrepresented youth, particularly those with fewer opportunities.

In the field of health, the Commission identifies the fact that the health of many young people is at risk due to a number of factors, such as tobacco, alcohol, poor diet and unprotected sex. In addition, a number of broader environmental and socio-economic factors that can impact upon the health of young people have been identified. The Commission, in its communication, calls for youth issues in health to be tackled cross-sectorally.

The proposed health actions for the Members States and Commission within their respective spheres of competence are as follows:

 Implement the Council Resolution on Health and Well-being of Young People and encourage youth fitness and sport by applying the EU Physical Activity Guidelines;
 Promote training opportunities on health for youth workers and youth leaders;
 Encourage cooperation between health and youth policy makers, and youth involvement in health policy;
 Mobilise all stakeholders at local level to detect and help young people at risk;
 Develop tailor-made information on health for young people, particularly those at risk of social exclusion, and mobilise youth information networks;
 Encourage peer-to-peer health education at school and in youth organisations.

In terms of implementation of the EU Strategy, the Communication recommends cross-sectoral cooperation at nation and regional levels. It envisages formalised cooperation between the different Council formations. The Commission will strengthen its internal coordination through inter-service groups. The Communication also proposes peer-learning processes including high-level seminars to include experts and stakeholders. A high-level seminar on youth health is proposed for 2012. Finally, the Communication suggests the organisation of ’kick-off’ conferences at a national level for each of the priority areas, including health.

High level conference on the health of young people "Be Healthy, Be yourself“

On 9-10 July 2009, the European Commission will organise a conference on the health of young people in cooperation with the European Youth Forum, and the World Health Organization. EPHA will participate as a speaker at this event.

The conference, which is the first step of a wider and far reaching Youth Health Initiative, will bring together representatives of youth organisations, the European institutions, Member and non-Member States, relevant sectors (such as health, education, workplace, social affairs and civil society), and individual young people.

The conference will be aimed at generating renewed and effective action across EU policy areas and at national level to improve the health of young people; involving young people more closely in EU work on public health; and supporting Member States’ activities on the health of young people.

For more information

 European Commission Youth Policy and Programme

 EU Youth Portal

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