Non-communicable diseases

WHO releases the World health statistics 2012 report

What is the World Health Statistics report? The World Health Statistics report, published every year, contains a WHO’s annual compilation of data from 194 countries on a range of mortality, disease and health system indicators as well as risk factors and behaviours that affect health directly. The report also includes a progress summary on health-related Millennium Development Goals and targets. This year’s report provides evidence of the dramatic increase in the conditions (...)

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 (...)

’LiveWell for low impact food in Europe (LIFE)’ project launched in Brussels - chronic diseases and climate change in focus?

The ’LiveWell for low impact food in Europe (LIFE)’ project was launched in Brussels with a policy debate with stakeholders. The project intends to tackle two of the big challenges facing modern society - rising levels of chronic diseases and climate change – and looks for solutions that will tackle both simultaneously. But how adequately will it address the needs of the most vulnerable groups in our societies - the poor, children or experiencing inequalities, and (...)

EPHA express its disappointment in an Open Letter to the Polish Government on abandoned proposal to raise VAT on unhealthy food products.

In response to the news announcing that the Polish Parliament proposal to increase the current value added tax (VAT) from 8 to 23% on a series of unhealthy products, had been abandoned, EPHA has sent an Open Letter to the Polish Government. Having consistently advocated for actions to reduce the level of obesity around Europe, EPHA expressed its sincere disappointment to such a missed opportunity. EPHA Open Letter to the Polish Prime Minister and Polish Ministers of Health, Agriculture and (...)

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 (...)

68 NGOs call of a new EU alcohol strategy

Under Eurocare’s leadership, 68 international, European and National NGOs (including EPHA) joined forces to call for a comprehensive Alcohol Policy Strategy in the European Union 2013-2020. The current EU Alcohol Strategy is due to end in 2012. 68 NGOs going much beyond health-related organisations, sent an open letter to Ministers of Health in Europe to acknowledge the need for a comprehensive alcohol policy framework. The Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action is meeting (...)

Food taxation in Europe: Evolution of the legislation

More and more countries adopt stricter food taxation and food fiscal measures, as a response to the obesity epidemics and the financial crisis. This article will be updated regularly with the evolution of the legislation in EU Member States. Overview of the discussions and/or implementation of such measures in European countries In January 2010, the Romanian Government announced the possible introduction of a tax that would impact on foods that are high in fats, salt, sugars and (...)

EPHA Report from the EFSA Stakeholder Consultative Platform - November 2011

A meeting of the EFSA Stakeholder Consultative Platform took place on the 17th and 18th of November 2011. EPHA attended the two-day meeting and summarises below some of its key outcomes. The broad range of participants that attented this two-day meeting allowed a rich exchange on a variety of items: the recent organisation’s developments (EFSA’s involvement in the Escherichiacoli STEC 0104:H4 pandemic, work on Bisphenol A, Aspartame etc.) the draft Science Strategy for (...)

Air pollution in the EU - European Environment Agency assesses the costs

Air pollution caused more than 100 billion euros in health and environmental damage: the European Environment Agency (EEA) found. This analysis shows the huge impact of fossil-fueled power stations and the very high costs they impose on people’s health and the environment, making the case for introducing cleaner, renewable and sustainable types of energy even more urgent and cost-effective. According to the EEA report "Revealing the costs of air pollution from industrial facilities (...)

TobTaxy Project: Registration open for the Training in Ireland

For NGOs based in the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands or Norway and want to be trained in tobacco taxation - Registrations opened until 20 January 2012.