cardiovascular

Health improves unequally within and among European countries

Every three years the World Health Organisation (WHO) publishes its report on European Health. This year its report has a special focus on well-being. "The European Health Report 2012: Charting the Way to Well-Being", released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on March 13, reveals some bitter-sweet data: even if there have been important health improvements in the European Region, the inequities across and within the countries are persistent. According to the WHO Regional Director for (...)

[EPT] Car noise pollution - new EU regulation - sound level of motor vehicles

Sound level of motor vehicles In December 2011, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new regulation aimed at tightening noise emissions standards for cars, vans, lorries and buses. To become law, the regulation now needs approval by the Parliament and member states. Vehicle noise standards were last updated in 1996, so were long overdue. More than 200 million European citizens (one in three) are regularly exposed to traffic noise levels that put their health at risk. One in (...)

[Joint Press Release] Beyond disappointment – European lawmakers on the side of automobile industry on traffic noise vote

Brussels, February 6 - The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) (1) and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) (2) regret the outcome of today’s plenary vote at the European Parliament (EP) on the regulation on the sound level of motor vehicles. The majority of European Parliamentarians – the elected representatives of the citizens - have turned a blind eye to people’s concerns, and prioritised the automobile industry over everyone’s health and well-being. (...)

"Aspartame is safe!" EFSA’s draft opinion on aspartame opened to public feedback

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to launch an open consultation on its scientific risk assessment about the safety of ’Aspartame’ (codified as E951 in the EU), the widely-used and controversial artificial sweetener. In May 2011, EFSA was asked by the Commission to re-evaluate fully the safety of aspartame. The study is now been made public and submitted for comments until February 15. Public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on the (...)

[Press Release] The revised Tobacco Directive - the beginning of the end of tobacco industry led policy-making?

19 December, Brussels – EPHA welcomes today’s release of the revised Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) by Health Commissioner Borg. With stronger measures on e-cigarettes, tobacco flavouring and the shape of cigarettes and packs, this proposal is good news for the further protection of people’s health across Europe. Among other proposals, the Directive recommends pictorial health warnings that cover 75% of cigarette packs. Whilst it is to be applauded as a great move to (...)

WHO agrees on 25% decrease target in non-communicable diseases-related premature mortality by 2025

On 9 November 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States agreed on a list of global targets to be achieved by 2025. The goals have the general objective of decreasing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25%, the so-called "25 by 25". The framework consists of nine global targets and 25 indicators. Initiated by recommendations from a WHO Working Group on non-communicable diseases targets back in July 2011, and after a series of open consultations, WHO Member (...)

EPHA service

7th EAP- General Action Programme - THE 7TH ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME (EAP) (updated on 18 March 2013) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – EP report - EU-wide plan to tackle the proliferation of AMR (updated on 22 March 2013) CAP reform – new regulations - Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) revision for 2014-2020 (updated on 5 April 2013) Car noise pollution - new EU regulation - sound level of motor vehicles (updated on 7 February 2013) Child poverty and well being - Council (...)

New European statistics released on heart disease and stroke

Figures show significant drop in mortality, but the scale of the problem is huge and will increase. Released by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Heart Network (EHN), these figures represent the first comprehensive overview of the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) since 2008. The statistics show that efforts to reduce heart disease deaths are successful, with mortality now falling in most of the continent. At the same time, the report shows the huge burden CVD (...)

Press Release: Taxing junk food to raise revenue and fight against obesity, argues EPHA

Today, 28th March 2012, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) Europe’s leading NGO advocating for better health outlined that taxing unhealthy food and subsidizing fruits and vegetables would not only support the fight against obesity but would also raise public revenues in a time of austerity. Press Release ***For immediate release*** 28 March 2012 Taxing junk food to raise revenue and fight against obesity, argues EPHA Today, 28th March 2012, the European Public Health (...)

New report on Diet, Physical Activity and Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) Prevention in Europe

The European Heart Network - an EPHA member - publishes a report on Diet, Physical Activity and Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) Prevention in Europe, which represents the most up to date review of the evidence on the relationship between CVDs and nutrition and physical activity. The report shows that: the cost of CVD in the EU is estimated at 192 billion Euros. 12 000 Europeans die every day due to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases. It highlights proposals for (...)