Newsletter February 2004

February 2004 newsletter

Welcome to the February 2004 edition of the EPHA newsletter.
The Irish Presidency is trying to make progress on the European Constitution. Dublin has to deliver a progress report to the Spring summit (25-26 March) and is talking to the Heads of State to gauge willingess to resolve key issues such as voting weights. Some reports indicate that no consensus exists on the public health articles, with some Member States refusing to consider an extension of EU powers. However, cooperation (...)

EPHA Secretariat news February 2004

Manon Favrin joins the EPHA secretariat on a 5 month internship as part of her studies on health.
A Policy Coordination Meeting (PCM) was held on 25 February 2004 and draft minutes of the meeting are available in the ’Members Only’ section. The next PCM is scheduled for 31 March 2004.
Lara Garrido Herrero participated in the first meeting of a working group from the European Health Policy Forum on ’Services of a General Interest’. The group is coordinated by EPSU.
EPHA members can find (...)

Job announcement: Head of Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation Team, International HIV/AIDS Alliance

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance and Oxford Human Resource Consultants are recruiting a Head of Donor Relations and Resource Mobilisation Team to replace the outgoing post-holder and to lead the team from March 2004.
The overall purpose of the position is to lead the programme funding strategy and implementation of the Alliance Secretariat, working closely with the other senior employees and the Executive, and to support the funding development of Alliance country programme offices and (...)

World Congress on Public Health, 19-22 April 2004

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) 10th International Congress entitled Sustaining Public Health in a Changing World: Vision to Action will be held in Brighton, UK on 19-22 April 2004.
As public health faces the new challenges, the question arises: is public health in a crisis? The Congress will bring together public health associations and agencies, teaching institutions, international agencies and NGO’s from all regions of the world, to reflect upon and discuss (...)

Call for urgent action on obesity in the UK

A new report on obesity in the UK argues that action needs to be taken at every possible level - national, local, community and as individuals, together with an understanding of the social and cultural factors that are behind the progressive increase in overweight and obesity.
Reducing and preventing obesity - everything must change is produced jointly by the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Public Health, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
The UK has the (...)

Pregnant workers should be protected from smoke at work says BMA Report

Pregnant women who cannot be ensured protection from second-hand smoke at their place of work should be entitled to leave of absence on full pay for the duration of their pregnancy.
The Report by the British Medical Association (BMA) published on 11 February 2004, looks towards Directive 92/85/EEC, which provides health and safety measures for pregnant women at the work-place to provide the necessary protection from passive smoking.
The report concludes that:
women who smoke take longer to (...)

Europa Donna celebrates 10 years

Europa Donna - The European Breast Cancer Coalition will celebrate its 10th anniversary on 17 March 2004 in their Hamburg offices.

Last negotiations on children’s environment and health agenda

The fourth intergovernmental preparatory meeting on the health and environment process will take place in Malta on 25-26 March, 2004.
On the agenda will be discussions around the Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan (also known as CEHAPE) and whether or not a Table of Actions should be annexed to the ministerial document.
The CEHAPE contains four Regional Priority Goals that address four areas in which the highest burden of disease for children exists. This includes:
Access to (...)

EU Environment and Health Action Plan in the making

Consultative Forum meets to discuss next steps.
The Consultative Forum will meet on March 3 and 4, 2004 to discuss what type of actions and recommendations should be considered in the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health (2004-2010).
The agenda and papers for the meeting (available only 8 days before the meeting) include approximately 800 pages of recommendations put forward by the nine Technical Working Groups.
The recommendations cover primarily the actions needed to set up a (...)

Stakeholder consultation launched on urban environment

On 11 February 2004, DG Environment launched a consultation process on urban environment which invites comments on a draft strategy on improving the quality of life for citizens.
80 % of Europeans live in towns and cities but in many places, poor air quality, noise, heavy traffic, neglect of the built environment, poor environmental management and a lack of strategic planning have led to a lower quality of life, health problems and even premature deaths.
The Commission document identifies (...)

Leaded petrol linked to schizophrenia

US scientists say they have found a link between exposure to lead in the womb and schizophrenia in adulthood writes the BBC News, UK edition, February 14, 2004.
The discovery is based on a study of blood samples taken from pregnant American women in the 1960s when lead was still widely used in vehicle fuel.
People whose mothers were exposed to high levels of the metal in exhaust fumes were more than twice as likely to develop schizophrenia as adults.
Dr Ezra Susser, from Columbia (...)

Health concerns stop incinerator plans in Scotland

Controversial plans to build Scotland’s biggest waste incinerator on the outskirts of Aberdeen appear certain to be rejected.
The reason is the continuing concerns about the potential risks to public health according to the daily newspaper Edinburgh Scotsmen on February 12, 2004
One concern revolves around the full environmental impact of the proposal - particularly in regard to air quality and public health - which is deemed to have several "shortcomings and deficiencies" in the air (...)

European chemicals policy reform — from emotions to facts

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) will be holding a conference to bring together stakeholders during the ongoing debate on the EU Chemicals reform, REACH, in the European Parliament and shortly before the European elections.
The conference, organised by EEB and ChemicalReaction, will provide a platform for members of civil society organisations, industry and governments to discuss and present their views to the Members of the EP. It aims to increase informed policy debate and to (...)

4th annual report on CO2 emissions from new cars

CO2 emissions from new passenger cars sold in the EU decreased by 10.8% between 1995 and 2002.
The 4th Annual Report on CO2 Emissions from New Cars was adopted by the European Commission on 12 February 2004.
The EU’s goal is to reach a 35% reduction by 2010 at the latest.
Commission press release.
EU strategy on CO2 emissions from passenger cars

2004 Call for proposals launched

The European Commission has launched the 2004 Call for proposals for projects to be funded through the EU public Health Programme. This follows the adoption on 25 February of the 2004 Work plan which sets out the priorities for this year.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 26 April 2004.
An Information Day for potential project submitters covering the implementation of the Public Health Programme was held on Monday 22 March 2004, 9h30-16h00 at the European Commission in (...)

Conference: Financing the Millenium Development Goals

The Socialist Group of MEPs is organising a conference on ’Financing the Millennium Development Goals’ to be held on Thursday 15th April 2004 in the European Parliament, Brussels.
The conference will explore progress towards the MDGs, where we are going wrong in our financing of the Goals, and what signals we need to send to governments in order to improve both the levels and delivery of financing and to achieve our aims.
The Conference will focus on three main themes:
Goal 6: Combating (...)

EU list of hazardous non-food products

The European Commission has started to publish a weekly alert notice on product safety issues across the EU.
On 15 January 2004 the revised General Product Safety Directive came into force. The European Commission generally receives two to four safety alerts from Member States every week through the EU-wide ’rapid alert system’, called RAPEX. The type of products most often cited in these alerts are toys followed by other products aimed at children. The concern for most of these products (...)

EU citizens want governments to adopt an EU constitution

A Eurobarometer survey shows that a large majority of people want their government to make concessions to secure agreement on a European constitution. The Commission funded poll was organised on 23/24 January 2004 following the collapse of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). The survey shows that 77% of people in the 25 countries are in favour of the EU adopting a Constitution, with 15% opposed to the idea. More than 60% of people expect that without a constitution the European (...)

New Directive to tackle blind-spots

A new Directive on rear-view mirrors and supplementary indirect vision systems for motor vehicles has been approved.
This will tackle the notorious problem of ’blind spots’, where vehicle drivers are often unaware of other road users very close to their vehicles.
Blind spots are blamed for many serious road accidents at crossings, junctions and roundabouts, especially those involving pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of smaller motorcycles.
The new directive is based on studies and (...)

Irish presidency to take actions on heart health

The Irish presidency is encouraging consensus amongst European stakeholders on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
During the first 6 months of 2004, European governments will agree a policy for promoting cardiovascular health in Europe and a protocol on the type of data collected on coronary care patients.
The Irish Department of Health and Children will work closely with the European Society of Cardiology, European Heart Network (an EPHA member) and the Irish Cardiac Society to (...)

MEPs call for stronger sanctions on food safety

MEPs are calling for closer monitoring and criminal sanctions on safety, labelling and inspection of animal feed products.
On 9 March 2004, the Environment Committee will give a 1st reading to a report by MEP Marit PAULSEN (ELDR, S) on the draft Regulation on official feed and food controls.
After a number of food scares such as BSE and salmonella, the EU has prioritised safety of the food chain. This new draft regulation would bring together several existing pieces of legislation covering (...)

A critique of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers

The issue of EU subsidies for tobacco farmers is more complex and is linked to the historical traditions of the CAP, the specific circumstances of the small farms that grow tobacco and a political support for maintaining rural agricultural communities.
Through the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the EU provides about 1 billion Euros per year (1% of the EU budget) to European farmers to grow tobacco, much of which is destined for cigarettes in the developing world.
In 2002, a reform of the (...)

Commission to adopt proposal to authorise a type of GMO maize

The Commission will adopt a proposal to authorise import and processing of a type of GMO maize (NK603).
All GM seed varieties have to be approved and authorised in the EU for cultivation under Directive 2001/18 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms or under the Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed.
Authorisation is only granted after a positive scientific assessment has concluded that no unacceptable risks to the environment (...)

WHO book on food and nutrition in Europe

The World Health Organisation has published a new book on the components of food and nutrition policies and the evidence supporting them.
Food and Health in Europe: a basis for action describes food- and nutrition-related ill health and its costs, shows the need for action and describes the steps for policy-makers to take. The book and associated executive summary highlights the urgent need for integrated, multisectoral food and nutrition policies to encourage the sustainable production of (...)

Industry to challenge EU food suplements directive

UK industry has challenged the Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC before the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
On Friday 30th January 2004, the UK Health Food Manufacturers Association, together with the UK National Association of Health Stores, and with support from UK Consumers for Health Choice and the Alliance for Natural Health , won a legal ruling from the High Court in London that allowed them to take a challenge to the legality and proportionality of the Food Supplements Directive (...)

MEPs emphasize the importance of healthcare

On 11 March 2004, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs will debate an own-initiative report on health care and the care of the elderly.
The report was drawn up by Karin JÖNS (PES, D) as a response to the Commission Communication The future of health care and care for the elderly: guaranteeing accessibility, quality and financial viability, COM(2001) 774.
MEPs will debate the report’s recommendations on the role for the EU in supporting Member States’ strategies for health care. (...)

EU forecasts limited migration after enlargement

A Eurobarometer study shows that only about 1 % of the population of the new Member States intends to move to western Europe to study and work.
The new study from the European Foundation for the Improvement in Living and Working Conditions, shows that the typical potential migrants are young, educated to tertiary level, or still studying, and living as a single person with no dependents. There is an increasing tendency for them to be female, particularly in growing sectors such as (...)

New resources on social medicine

A new Social Medicine Portal has been established to promote the understanding and practice of social medicine.
Hosted by the US-based Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the site contains a useful historical introduction to some of the key principles of social medicine:
Social and economic conditions profoundly impact health, disease and the practice of medicine.
The health of the population is a matter of social concern.
Society should promote health through both individual and (...)

UNDP warns CEE/NIS countries face a general HIV/AIDS epidemic

A new UNDP report shows that Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States have some of the fastest growing rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world.
The impact is compounded by still insufficient public awareness, frequent stigmatization and lack of adequate policy instruments. Nonetheless, the region also has success stories, from which valuable lessons should be taken.
Reversing the Epidemic: Facts and Policy Options offers HIV/AIDS profiles for the countries of the region, (...)

Health risks for women at work are underestimated

A new Commission report Gender issues in safety and health - A review examines gender differences in workplace injury and illness, gaps in knowledge and the implications for improving risk prevention.
The report by the EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work shows how the design of work, its organisation and equipment are often based on the model of the ’average’ man, although the principle of matching work to workers is enshrined in EU legislation. In general it can be said that (...)

New code of conduct on tobacco for health professionals

Healthcare professional associations agreed on 30 January 2004 to promote a new code of conduct, which asks health professionals to lead by example, and reduce smoking themselves.
A WHO informal meeting of health professional organizations and tobacco control brought together professional associations representing pharmacists, dentists, nurses, midwifes, chiropractors and physicians.
The participants agreed that another important role of health professionals is to introduce tobacco control (...)

Enlargement countries co-ordinate fight against drug trafficking

Some of the enlargement countries have signed the "Baku declaration", uniting their efforts against drug trafficking.
Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, and Turkey were among the countries that took part in the recent international conference in Baku last 23 January 2004. The conference focused on illicit drug trafficking along the Silk Route and it was organised by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Customs administrations and international and regional organizations reviewed actions (...)

OECD 2004 forum addresses health and finance

The OECD Forum 2004 is entitled ’Health of nations’ and will tackle some of the key issues on the international policy agenda, such as the health of the global economy, the health of multilateral co-operation and the health of our citizens.
Themes include human rights and health, ageing, equity of access to healthcare, sustainable development and communicable diseases. Speakers include health and finance ministers from OECD countries, senior WTO, EU and OECD officials.
The forum will be (...)

New book on the G8, globalization, and health

The University of Cape Town Press has recently released a book by Ronald Labonte, Ted Schrecker, David Sanders and Wilma Meeus: ’Fatal Indifference: the G8, Africa and Global Health’.
According to the foreword, the book is ’the first attempt to bring together an analysis of G8 policies, commitments and actions related to the South in the major domains known to influence health’.
Ronald Labonte, PhD is Director, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, Professor, (...)