Health ministers ’could have been stronger’ on health equity

On 1-2 December 2011, the Council adopted Conclusions entitled "Closing health gaps within the EU through concerted action to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours". EPHA considers that the Conclusions fall short on concrete objectives and targets that the current economic challenges would require, and the Council could have been stronger in its approach to tackling the problem.


The Council of the European Union adopted, during its 1-2 December 2011 session, conclusions entitled "Closing health gaps within the EU through concerted action to promote healthy lifestyle behavioursf".

EPHA considers that the Council recommendations on the future of EU actions promoting healthy lifestyles do not go far enough. They only encourage and/or promote the further use of existing policies and actions, i.e food reformulation, alcohol advertising and information, developing urban and social environment conducive to physical activity, etc., whereas clear and concrete targets are needed if we are to make real change in the lives of people living in Europe.

In its Conclusions, the Council is committed to promote strategies addressing health determinants with actions focusing on vulnerable groups and thus working towards the reduction of health inequalities, as well as to accelerate progress on combating unhealthy lifestyle behaviours.

The Council calls on Member States to continue and/or strengthen existing actions promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing the social determinants of health, optimise the use of existing resources, most importantly in the current economic climate, and to strengthen the exchange of best practices.

The Council calls on the Commission to reflect, in its report due for 2012 (as stated in the Communication "Solidarity in health: reducing health inequalities in the EU") the importance of healthy lifestyles and to specifically target the reduction of health inequalities. Priority should also be given to the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of existing actions and policies. Generally, the Council calls for more and better cohesion and coordination between Member States notably when it comes to data sharing.

Developing health inequality audit approaches, focusing on cost-effective actions and broadening the scope of the "Health in all policies" approach (in education, environment etc.). are some of the priorities highlighted when adressing the Member States and the Commission together.

EPHA related articles

Polish Presidency Ministerial conference "Solidarity in Health: closing the health gap between the European Union states", 7-8 November 2011.

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New action plan to address non-communicable diseases in Europe

Last modified on December 13 2011.