Gender Issues

Measuring well being - there is more than GDP: OECD Better Life Index

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) releases an updated version of the Better Life Index which allows everyone to compare well-being across 36 countries. Based on 11 main themes (eg housing, employment, governance, health), the update includes data on gender equality as well as inequalities, and water quality. The OECD Better Life Index aims to go beyond GDP as a way to measure progress and well-being. It has identified 11 dimensions of well-being which are (...)

European Charter for Health Equity - open for signatures through 2012

After being officially launched on 9 December 2010, the European Charter for Health Equity will be open for signatures for a year (end 2011). We invite all relevant stakeholders, organisations and institutions to sign the Charter. We count on your active involvement! We have just over 160 signatories on our list of supporters! The European Charter for Health Equity has been opened for signatures until the end of 2012. To sign the European Charter for Health Equity please follow the (...)

Towards a future European Parliament report on violence against women with disabilities?

During a meeting organised of the European Parliament Disability Intergroup, the Intergroup (composed of MEPs) announced it will consider a report on Violence against Women with Disabilities. MEPs also called for a Directive on male violence against women. On 28 March, EPHA attended a hearing in the European Parliament (EP) organised by the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the EP Disability Intergroup. The meeting focused on the violence experienced by women with multiple disabilities, (...)

Access to healthcare for vulnerable groups in the EU in 2012

In their newest report on Access to Healthcare for Vulnerable Groups in the EU, Medicins du Monde provide an overview of the conditions of persons excluded from healthcare systems in the continent. A case for improved situation is made, especially given the consequences of the economic crisis on health and health-related issues. Medecins du Monde Access to Health Care for Vulnerable Groups in the European Union in 2012. The report’s key findings and messages are: poor (...)

EU Expert Group on trafficking in human beings - new composition

The European Commission set up an Expert Group on trafficking in Human Beings in 2003. The composition of the Group has been renewed recently. The aim of the Group is to provide the European Commission with expertise in the shaping of opinions and reports related to the prevention of and the fight against human trafficking. They are tasked to: advise the European Commission on issues related to human trafficking support the European Commission to assess the evolution of policies in the (...)

WHO Europe series on “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response”

The WHO European Region’s series of “Young people’s health as a whole-of-society response” shows that gender differences and inequalities affect various aspects of illness, health and wellbeing in girls and boys in Europe. By addressing gender as a key determinant of adolescent health, this publication aims to support Member States’ work in the framework of the European Strategy for Child and Adolescent Health and Development. Research shows that boys and (...)

WCRF International Request for Applications Programme

The World Cancer Research Fund International recently announced a new Request For Applications for 2012, based in the Netherlands (NL RFA). The grant programme focuses on research into the effects of food, nutrition, physical activity, and body fatness on cancer,. The deadline for application is 18 April 2012. WCRF International announces a new Request For Applications for 2012, based in the Netherlands (NL RFA). The WCRF International grant programme focuses on research into the effects (...)

Impact of the crisis on men’s mental health: Starking evidence

The European Men’s Health Forum (EMHF) - EPHA member - has recently brought to light the issue of the recession threatening men’s mental health with an increasing number of male suicide rates in Ireland and the UK. The EMHF also made reference to the report published by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in Ireland on the impact of the recession and unemployment on men’s health in Ireland. The repercussions of current economic crisis vary and affect different spheres (...)

’Our food systems are making people sick’ states UN rapporteur

In a strong and tough report - presented to the UN Human Rights Council at its 19th session in March 2012, the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food - Olivier de Schutter - explores the implications of the adequacy element of the right to food for agricultural policies and for the reshaping of the food systems. The report The right to an adequate diet: the agriculture-food-health nexus is to deal with the triple challenge we face today - that of the role of agrifood systems (from (...)

Extraordinary meeting of the EU platform for Roma Inclusion on the national Roma integration strategies

On 22 March 2012, the Extraordinary European Platform on Roma inclusion took place in order to give all stakeholders involved an opportunity to express their views on the national efforts and to pave the way for the successful implementation of national Roma integration strategies. Among four priority areas for Roma inclusion, health (especially disease prevention and health promotion) and related determinants, such as living conditions still lag behind. The representatives of the EU (...)