rights of people with disabilities

Fundamental Rights to Promote Public Health

The Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) has organised the 6th Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP), its flagship event to meet with civil society representatives working on fundamental rights. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) participated in the event for the first time, bringing the public health community’s voice in substantive discussions about Fundamental Rights. What about Fundamental Rights? Fundamental Rights are rights that are recognised and guaranteed by international (...)

European Year for Citizens - moving to a Union for Citizens

On 23 April 2013 the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, organised a high level event to help focus on European citizens and how they can contribute to shaping the European Union. The Ombudsman was joined by, among others, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Maroš Šefčovič Vice-President of the European Commission. EPHA congratulates the European Ombudsman for addressing the (...)

EP resolution underlines the need for action on medicines access problem

On 18 April, the European Parliament (EP) voted on a Resolution on the impact of the financial and economic crisis on human rights. The resolution highlighted some of the global impacts of the crisis on the right to health. EPHA applauds the EP’s recognition of the multiple impacts of the crisis on ordinary people and the need to further champion public health across Europe. The Resolution states that "the rising price of medicines (by up to 30%) is having a negative impact on the (...)

[European Network for Workplace Health Promotion] Guide to good practices on chronically ill employees

The European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP) has released its European Guide to Good Practice on chronically ill employees. Chronic illness poses a major challenge for public health - it is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, and has a major impact not only on the life expectancy but also in the years of good health lived. In addition, there is reasonable evidence that chronic disease affects earnings, the ability to work, job turnover and disability. (...)

2013 World Day for Safety and Health at Work - 28 April

28 April marks the World Day for Safety and Health. This year the focus is on the prevention of occupational diseases. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) more than 2 million deaths are caused by various types of work-related diseases. It corresponds to a daily average of more than 5,500 deaths. Worldwide, occupational diseases continue to be the leading cause of work-related deaths. The consequences of inadequate prevention of occupational diseases have profound (...)

OECD & EPHA - Inclusive Growth only possible by challenging current growth model

On April 3, EPHA Secretary General participated in a high-level workshop on "Defining and Measuring Inclusive Growth" organised by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). With this initiative, the OECD wants to revise the way economic growth is approached– from purely pro-growth to inclusive growth – while seeking ways to improve the way policy is made and implemented. A key objective of the workshop was to develop a roadmap for policies for inclusive (...)

Hungary accused of persecution of the poor

In Autumn 2010, the Hungarian Law on Constructions was amended to allow municipalities to ban homeless people from public spaces. The Hungarian Parliament imposed a $700 fine or jail upon those who repeatedly broke municipal laws regarding “residential habitation in public spaces.” Although this law was ruled unconstitutional by the Hungarian Constitutional Court, the Hungarian Prime Minister has announced that the government intends to prohibit street homelessness in the (...)

Irish Presidency of the EU to host informal meeting of ministers responsible for homelessness on 1 March

The Irish Presidency of the EU is hosting an informal meeting of ministers responsible for homelessness on 1st March 2013. FEANTSA, Eurodiaconia, Caritas Europa and Red Cross EU Office have sent a joint letter welcoming this initiative to the Irish Presidency. They formally wish the meeting every success and outline some key areas for discussion. FEANTSA, Caritas Europa, Eurodiaconia and the Red Cross EU Office welcome the Irish Presidency of the EU Council’s announcement of an EU (...)

EPHA position on the EU Citizenship Rights

EPHA 2012 position on the EU Citizenship Rights contributes to the ongoing European Commission public consultation on EU Citizens’ Rights, "EU Citizens - your rights, your future" by focusing on the implications of citizenship on the public health dimension of people’s daily and professional lives. Time-wise, it is also a good opportunity for EPHA to contribute to the upcoming 2013 European Year of Citizens. EPHA 2012 position on the EU Citizenship Rights - based on the (...)

EPHA briefing: the future EU Cohesion policy and health

The EU has a number of policies designed to reduce the significant disparities that still exist between Europe’s regions and to promote greater economic, social and territorial cohesion. The EU Cohesion policy is an investment policy. What is the EU Cohesion (Regional) Policy? Given its share of the EU budget (more than one-third), cohesion policy instruments are key in boosting Europe’s economic competitiveness and growth, fostering social cohesion, improved quality of life (...)