European Public Health Alliance

European Economic and Social Committee increases its membership

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:45:01Z

Following the enlargement of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Liaison Group to the sector of foundations and of public health, EPHA has joined the Group representing health interests.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body of the European Union. This part of the web site is dedicated to the general presentation of the Committee including information on its role, work and structure. The organisational chart and the information on the different working bodies, such as Presidency, Groups and Sections, can be found here. The EESC Members, documents, policy areas (themes), events and press related information can be found under the other main navigation tabs. Under the tab "Take part" you can find information on the different ways the citizens can get involved with the Committee ; this can be through the interactive tools available on this web site or taking physically part in the visits, competitions and other activities organised by the EESC.

Following the enlargement of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Liaison Group to the sector of foundations and of public health, EPHA is now a member. In this group, EPHA represents health interests.

The Liaison Group serves as a channel of communication and a structure for political dialogue. The Liaison group allows for the EESC to more effectively partake in its role as intermediary between the EU institutions and organised civil society. In addition, it provides a forum for civil society organisations, thus contributing to optimising synergies and allowing the different players of organised civil society to collaborate on issues of common interest. The Liaison Group follows the initiatives taken by the EESC with the goal of strengthening cooperation with civil society.

For more information, Mr Patrick Fève is at your disposal :

Tel. : +32 2 546.96.16
Fax : +32 2 546.94.69
E-mail Patrick Fève.

For Further Information

Civil Society Portal
Liaison Group News and Meetings

Related EPHA Articles

EESC opinion on the Commission's Communication on Health Inequalities
EESC position on alcohol-related harm in European society
Campaign for better representation of civil society in European Economic and Social Committee
EPHA joins the NGO Liaison Group of the Economic and Social Committee

Does the public perceive climate change as a health risk ?

Dorota Sienkiewicz, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:41:01Z

Although limited in scope to the US, Canada and one European Union country (Malta), this study is one of the first attempting to gather and verify the public perception and understanding of climate change and its impact on human and environmental health. The following article presents the main findings of the study.

Until recently, little evidence was available on the links between human health and climate change, as well as on public awareness of such links. At least concerning those going beyond injuries, deaths and illnesses resulting from extreme weather conditions. Now we also know that links exist in relation to human migration and increased vulnerability to poverty.

The study attempts to answer questions of public concern, such as whether the public believes that climate change poses a risk to human health and if so, whether this is seen as a current or a future risk, whose health the public thinks will be harmed, and how the public believes that climate change affects human health.

The main findings of the research show that :

a majority of people believe that climate change poses significant risks to human health ; moreover, it is said that people are already being harmed by climate change. About a third of people see themselves, their families and people in their community as being vulnerable to at least moderate harm from climate change ; many people believe the elderly, children and people in developing countries to be most at risk from the negative effects of climate change.

However, climate change appears to lack salience as a health issue in the public perception with no clear associations between health and climate. A large number of those surveyed - but only when specifically prompted - listed respiratory problems, heath-related problems, cancer and infectious diseases as the major health risks due to climate change. Also sunburns, injuries from extreme weather events and allergies were listed as significant consequences of climate change.

In conclusion, the researchers recommend "mounting public health communication initiatives that increase the salience of the human health consequences associated with climate change". In addition, it has been explicitly stated that the public health community has an opportunity to frame the public and policy perception on climate change and human health associations in order to engage individuals, governments and a range of other stakeholders in support of relevant policy developments.

To read the research please click here.

EPHA related articles

Climate change mitigation and social justice in Europe : stakeholder dialogue closing event
EU agriculture and climate change : how to feed 9 billion while accounting for climate change ?
"Prescription for a Healthy Planet" - climate change poses deadly risk for health
Politicians need to consider effects of climate change
Respiratory doctors call for EU action on climate change
Health groups call for ambitious 40% reduction target on carbon emissions

HAI Europe research on financial disclosure and transparency of patient and consumer organisations at European Medicines Agency

Dorota Sienkiewicz, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:36:34Z

EPHA member organisation Health Action International (HAI) Europe has published a research article based on a survey pertaining to levels of financial disclosure and transparency among patient and consumer organisations at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Based on the main findings of the study, HAI Europe concludes that "EMA appears to have failed in the monitoring and enforcement of its guidelines on financial transparency".

In 2005, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) established guidelines requiring financial disclosure and transparency from patient and consumer organisations involved as political stakeholders and experts in the work of the Agency. These "Criteria to be fulfilled by Patients` and Consumers` Organisations involved in EMA Activities" require organisations to disclose their financial data, including the names of income sources, and the relation of those financial contributions to the organisations` operating budget.

In its study, HAI Europe examined the financial disclosure practices of patients and consumers`organisations working with EMA as well as the nature of organisations` sponsorship between 2006 and 2008.

HAI Europe established that :

between 2006 and 2008 two-thirds of all patients and consumers` organisations involved in EMA`s work received substantial financial sponsorship from corporate sources, meaning pharmaceuticals or medical devices` manufacturers as well as industry associations ;

between 2006 and 2008 the average financial contributions from aforementioned sponsors to the organisations` operating budget rose from 47% to 57% ;

fewer than half of all organisations eligible to work with the Agency met the requirements set in the "Criteria to be fulfilled by patients`and consumers` organisations involved in EMA Activities".

Based on these findings, HAI Europe concluded that it is justified to say that EMA failed to properly monitor and enforce its guidelines on financial transparency. Another important conslusion is the fact that there seem to be insufficient public and non-corporate funding sources to support the work of patients` and consumers` organisations, in particular at the regulatory level.

For more information

HAI Europe Research Article : Patient and Consumer Organisations at the European Medicines Agency - Financial Disclosure and Transparency.

HAI Europe issue fact sheet on the article.

HAI website.

Public Consultation on Addictiveness and Attractiveness of Tobacco Additives

Doriane Fuchs, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:35:49Z

A broad consultation process on the addictiveness and attractiveness of tobacco additives was launched a few months ago by the European Commission. Following a first opinion on the issue by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks produced, the consultation has been opened to the public. Further information on the public consultation is available below.

In order to clarify the role of tobacco additives as an enhancer of the addictiveness and attractiveness of tobacco products, the European Commission has launched a consultation process.

The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) had been requested by the European Commission to produce a pre-consultation opinion providing scientific advice on the role of additives in tobacco products. Based on that document, a broader consultation is now open to all interested stakeholders.

To participate in the public consultation please click here. The SCENIHR pre-consultation opinion is available here.

The deadline for contributions is 5 September 2010.

For further information :

European Commission related webpage

EPHA related articles :

Call for Information on the Addictiveness and Attractiveness of Tobacco Additives
2010 Eurobarometer survey on tobacco
World No Tobacco Day 2010 - "Setting the EU tobacco control agenda and celebrating the 'Pledge'"
*Updated* Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke - EPHA responds
Smokeless tobacco products are addictive and carcinogenic to humans

Member States are free to decide on the cultivation of genetically modified crops

Doriane Fuchs, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:35:22Z

Following political guidelines given by European Commission President Barroso in September 2009 and the subsequent commitment made by European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli, a European authorisation system has been proposed in addition to the freedom of Member States to cultivate genetically modified organisms.

On 13 July 2010, the European Commission published a Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, on the freedom for Member States to decide on the cultivation of genetically modified crops.

As stated in the Communication, the procedure covers the use of GMOs as well as their derived products for food and feed, industrial processing and cultivation.

At EU level, GMOs are currently "managed" by the following pieces of legislation :
Directive 2001/18/EC on the environmental release of GMOs,
Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed,
Regulation 1830/2003 on the traceability and labelling of GMOs and the traceability of food and feed products produced from GMOs

While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is in charge of the scientific assessment of the product, national scientific authorities also playa role in this regard as well as regarding the initial environmental risk assessment. EFSA develops guidelines for the environmental assessment which provides normative values. These values are later on discussed by the European Commission and Member States.

The Communication states that the reform of the current system will be undertaken in two stages :

a revision of the co-existance Recommendation (2003/556/EC) allowing Member States to adopt further measures avoiding the unintended presence of GMOs in conventional and organic crops ; and
the possibility for Member States to limit or prohibit the cultivation of certain GMOs based on grounds other than those already existing within EU rules.

On 13 July 2010, John Dalli, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy presented the European Commission package on the issue and the Communication in particular. While European Parliament reactions were divided, the Commissioner attempted to respond to some of the concerns expressed by several MEPs. Finally, Mr Dalli also mentioned a report on the socio-economic impact of GMOs to be expected for the end of 2010.

For further information :

Communication form the European Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the freedom for Member States to decide on the cultivation of genetically modified crops (COM(2010) 380)

EPHA related articles :

Risk Assessment for GMOs : The Role for Europe
EPHA communicated position on GMOs to all Commissioners, May 2008
Traceability and Labelling of GMOs

New ''EU News'' website managed by DG Communication

Sascha Marschang, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:34:19Z

A new ''EU News'' website has been created by the European Commission, informing users of relevant policy developments in English, German and French.

The European Commission recently launched its "EU News" website, available at http://europa.eu/news/. This new website is part of Europa – the official portal of the EU - and managed by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communication.

The site gathers all the latest news from the EU institutions including articles and videos. It compiles, by topic and date (e.g. for health policy, the information stored currently goes back back to September 2009) decisions by the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Court of Justice, the European Investment Bank and the European Central Bank.

Currently available in English, French and German, it mainly focuses on the different steps of the legislative process and on key developments in EU policy making.

For EPHA members this new website could become a supplementary ''one stop'' information source to keep up-to-date with relevant policy developments and events in health and related EU policy areas. Instead of having to consult different Directorate-Generals' web pages, users now have one reliable source they can turn to for EU news.

For further information :

EU News website

EPHA related articles :

Public Health Portal of the European Union

Croatian ''Healthy Eco Life'' project promotes healthy life styles to school children

Sascha Marschang, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:33:03Z

Croation EPHA member NET+ Association started the "Healthy Eco Life” project for innovative promotion of health and ecology for primary school children in Croatia and Slovenia.

The project takes a creative, learning-by-doing approach that includes a one day visit to an eco farm where children can gain experience in growing organic vegetables and taking care of domestic animals.

This action is granted by the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers, within the Health Programme 2009. The ''Healthy Eco Life'' project is implemented by a consortium of five partners including Association NET+, For Better World, Coram Life Education, Institute for Public Health and Eco Centre.

Facts and figures

Overweight and obesity are serious problems in Europe, particularly among children where the estimated prevalence for overweight is 30%. Croatia is experiencing similar problems. The most recent research shows that 11% of children in Croatia are overweight and 67% do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity. Feeding habits are shaped by aggressive media promotion of energy-rich food that is low in nutrition.

General objective

The overall objective of the project is to foster the adoption of healthy life styles among children in primary schools in urban areas in Croatia and Slovenia, focusing on the cities of Zagreb and Maribor.

Main project activities

• Identification of EU health promotion policies and best practices in health promotion and ecology among school children - in cooperation with local stakeholders

• Development of the innovative health education program based on ecological awareness

• Implementation of the ''Healthy Eco Life'' workshops (in class and at ecological farms) for 700 children enrolled in Croatian and Slovenian primary schools

• International conference “Child and the City” and Children's Eco Festival

• Networking between stakeholders in Croatia, Slovenia and the EU to enhance new initiatives

Most importantly, ''Healthy Eco Life'' is not only for children but involves schools and communities, all potential stakeholders in the field of health promotion. It will provide an opportunity to present, discuss and review best practices in health promotion in Europe and foster development of new ideas and initiatives.

For further information :

''Healthy Eco Life'' website

Flyer to promote the ''Healthy Eco Life Friends Club''


Healthy Eco Life Friends Club

EPHA related articles :

Networking visit in Croatia - 24/25 November 2008

Preventing Obesity in Europe- EUROPREVOB Project

***EPHA Press Release*** How to combat obesity and raise public revenue - Denmark increases taxes on alcopops and ‘junk food'

Conference on the future of CAP after 2013

Robert Pederson, EPHA Staff — 2010-08-31T13:32:44Z

In his closing speech, Commissioner Ciolos stated that Pillar One should contain policy measures with the objective of reconciling ‘the economic, environmental, social and territorial dimension', while Pillar Two could include measures that could be used to ‘modernise farms, support for innovation, promote diversification in rural areas address market volatility and address challenges linked to climate change.

European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Ciolos hosted the conference on the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) post-2013. The conference was attended by over 600 stakeholders in Brussels on 19 and 20 July, marking the end of the public debate launched in April. The public debate was reported to have received more responses than any other consultation. A total of 5,700 responses from individuals, stakeholders and research institutes were received.

The conference provided a platform for presenting the results of the public debate and for exploring in more depth some of the issues raised and possible solutions so as to feed into DG AGRI's drafting of the Commission's concrete proposals for a future CAP, due to be published in the form of a Commission Communication in mid-November 2010.

The debate around the future of the CAP focused on the provision of public goods, i.e. that public funds should be spent on the provision of public goods and not merely direct payments to farmers. It was also highlighted that the CAP of the future needs to take a more territorial approach that addresses the diversity of environmental, social and economic situations in different regions of the EU-27 and the benefits of adopting a territorial approach for achieving this without renationalising agriculture policy.

EPHAC was invited to present at the workshop in Workshop 4 - Quality, diversity, health. The purpose of this workshop was to explore in depth issues around Nutritional quality, diversity and hygienic quality of food, animal welfare, new features of demand, accessibility and adequacy of supply, distance between producers and consumers, supply and marketing methods. EPHACs presentation focused on including health and sustainability in a systematic manner in the Common Agriculture policy. A CAP that addresses sustainable growth, healthy workforce and equitable access to healthy diets, and how farming and food systems affect the health of EU citizens in terms of environment, social and economic determinants was highlighted in the presentation.

Several presentations on the closing day highlighted the burden of obesity and chronic disease. Bertrand Hervieu, one of the two conference rapporteurs a member of the French Academy of Agriculture stressed the need for CAP that ensures nutritional quality, accessibility to healthy diets for all and called for a Common Food and Agriculture Policy with better integration between policy areas.

Commissioner Ciolos emphasised that the current two pillar structure was likely to remain, although the content and structure of both pillars may be changed significantly.

For more information :

A video recording of the plenary presentations and discussions is available here

Agriculture and Rural Convention 2020 - a call for Action

Robert Pederson, EPHA Staff — 2010-08-31T13:32:27Z

The aim of the Agriculture Rural Convention 2020 (ARC 2020) is to create a strong and influential voice of civil society for a new European Common Agriculture and Rural Policy, and to prepare a strong common message to European decision makers which cannot be ignored.

The Agriculture and Rural Conveniton ARC seeks to bring a completely transparent debate that is more than a collection of ideas or a lowest common denominator. It should become the result of an open debate between all interested groups and stakeholders and culminate into an innovative negotiation process between those engaged for a reform of the CAP, ultimately leading to a common reform project.

The ARC wishes to facilitate the debates and negotiations between stakeholders on a regional and/or thematic level through a common website and to deliver a common message to the European institutions by October, before the Commission publishes its communication to the European Institutions.

The ARC initiative sees its role as complementary to, and enhancing, the public debate on CAP post-2013 which European Commissioner for Agriculture Dacian Ciolos launched on 12th April. Ideally, civil society should not only offer new ideas to the Commission but should strive to find a common message, showing its capacity to reach agreement on reform of the CAP.

EPHAC leads a thematic group on health and agriculture and invites all those interested to join this process. For further information :

For more information :

Agriculture and Rural Convention website

ALTER-EU is seeking a Coalition-building and Outreach Coordinator

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:30:35Z

EPHA partner, the ALTER-EU is hiring a Coalition-building and Outreach Coordinator. You can find more information about the requirements and job offer here.

Full-time position in the Brussels office, with regular travel in Europe. Start date : 15 October 2010 (a later start date can be discussed)

Founded in 2005, the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) is a coalition of over 160 civil society groups, trade unions, academics and public affairs firms concerned with the increasing influence exerted by corporate lobbyists on the political agenda in Europe, the resulting loss of democracy in EU decision-making and the postponement, weakening, or blockage even, of urgently needed progress on social, environmental and consumer-protection reforms. ALTER-EU is entering a new stage of campaigning, after having published a new book (“Bursting the Brussels Bubble”) outlining 10 key demands for reforms at the EU institutions for the next five years. We are now seeking a coalition-building and outreach coordinator to further strengthen the ALTER-EU alliance and public awareness about our vision and demands.

The position is based in Brussels, 5 days a week, and runs for ten months from October 2010 until July 2011 (to be prolonged pending funding). The new staff person will be based in the Mundo-B building in the EU quarter in Brussels. He/she will on a daily basis work closely with campaigners from the ALTER-EU Steering Committee.

Key areas of work :

Outreach to potential new member groups.
Contacting ALTER-EU member groups with suggestions for active involvement in the work of the coalition.
Developing a campaigners toolkit, making concrete proposals for how groups can actively engage in ALTER-EU campaigning.
Ensure that the ALTER-EU member groups regularly receive updates, including a newsletter (2-4 times per year) and action alerts.
Help organise ALTER-EU outreach workshops in Brussels and in different EU countries.
Developing new ways to increase the overall visibility of ALTER-EU's campaigns and demands, to reach out to a bigger numbers of citizens around Europe (including online mobilisation / cyber-action).
Improving ALTER-EU media outreach.
Improving and maintaining the ALTER-EU web site.
Improving and further developing tools used to facilitate communication between ALTER-EU groups.
Supporting the steering committee.
Supporting ALTER-EU in its fundraising efforts.

Essential requirements :

Two or more years of successful experience in (international) civil society campaigning and coalition-building
Good networking and communications skills, experience with liaising with civil society groups and trade unions across Europe
Logistical, problem solving skills
Fluency in English (French and German desirable)
Able to work in a team and independently with people from different cultural backgrounds
Ability to manage own workload effectively
Willingness to regularly travel abroad and during weekends
Substantial knowledge of European Union decision-making processes and key EU policies ;
Commitment to the values, vision and mission of ALTER-EU
Flexibility, ability to improvise and multi-tasking skills
Ability to work to deadlines and prioritise workloads
Educated to degree standard
Computer skills
Sense of humour and creativity

We offer :

5 days/week, 38 hour working week, compensation days for weekends/public holidays worked
Gross salary between 2,300 and 3,500 per month (depending on experience).

If you are interested in applying for this position please send your CV and a covering letter to info@alter-eu.org by midnight on September 9th 2010.

Your letter should highlight how your skills and experience are well-suited to the requirements of this position.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted by September 13th (only shortlisted candidates will be contacted). We are looking forward to your application.

Read more about ALTER-EU`s work at : http://www.alter-eu.org/

European Commission takes on two new deputy Director-Generals

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:30:18Z

In July 2010 the European Commission has created two new posts at the rank of deputy Director-General in the framework of restructuring the Commission Directorate Generals. DG Enterprise and Industry and DG Economic and Financial affairs will each receive a second deputy Director-General.

DG Economic and Financial Affairs will also take on an additional 37 more staff members to deal with the financial crisis and the eurozone's sovereign debt difficulties. The new deputy Director-General will be responsible for international economic relations, macrofinancial stability and co-ordination with international financial institutions.

In DG Enterprise and Industry, the new deputy Director-General will oversee two directorates, G (chemicals, metals, forest and the textiles industry and raw materials) and H (aerospace, global monitoring, security and defence) as well as the Galileo satellite project. The post will be in charge of internal co-ordination, international co-operation and the integration of environmental policies in other areas.

The current directorate for ‘new approach' industries, tourism and corporate social responsibility is to be abolished. These changes will take effect from 1 September.

This decision adds two important Commission officials who's decisions will impact on public health in Europe - the financial crisis impacts on millions of people living in Europe, with increased job insecurity, reductions in social protection and increases in stress and ill-health. The industrial policies governing the behaviour of the chemical and other industries are directly relevant in addressing the impact these industries have on the lives and health outcomes of people living in Europe and beyond.

For More Information

Commission creates two new deputy Director-General posts
European Commission creates the 100th Director-General post.

Related EPHA Articles

New Director-General for health and consumers for DG Sanco

Spotlight on NET+ Association

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:25:50Z

Who are we ?

The NET+ Association is a non-profit organization from Zagreb, Croatia. We work to improve quality of life in all segments, as well as to protect and preserve nature and the environment. We are active in three main domains : drug addiction prevention and rehabilitation, prevention and therapy of eating disorders and health/ecology promotion.

Who do we represent ?

NET+ is publicly recognized as a leader in the field of health promotion. Our members are primarily volunteers (about 30 volunteer-members and 100 external volunteers) and they regularly contribute to all our activities. In our work we involve students of helping professions, rehabilitated drug addicts and people with mental conditions.

What is our mission ?

Association NET+ promotes healthy life choices among children and youth. We contribute to the development of civil society and improvement of quality of life in all segments, as well as to protecting and preserving nature and the environment.

What do we do ?

Association NET+ has been working in the field of drug addiction since 2000, closing full circle service :
prevention workshop for school children
counseling centre for drug addicts and their families
Rehabilitation Centre (pilot-project 2003-2004)
Residential Community for social reintegration
social reintegration activities.

Since 2009, we are active in prevention of eating disorders. The project “Who is that in the mirror ?” includes peer to peer assistance in prevention of anorexia, bulimia and compulsory overeating aimed at secondary school students in the area of Zagreb. Until now the programme included 500 girls aged 15-17 in more than 400 interactive workshops. Its evaluation showed a statistically significant change (in levels of self-confidence, attitudes toward the importance of thinness for personal happiness and engaging in harmful behavior risky for developing eating disorders) in female adolescents who participated in the programme.

Furthermore, Association NET+ is a main partner in the international project Healthy Eco Life that promotes healthy living and ecology to primary school children in Croatia and Slovenia. Interactive workshops will be conducted in classrooms for 700 children. Children will also visit eco-farms and learn how to make bread, work in the garden or feed domestic animals. The project also includes networking with other European CSO's in the field of health/ecology and their participation in a final conference, “Health and the City”, in Zagreb in June 2011.

How do you get involved ?

It would be our great joy if your organisation could join our Healthy Eco Life Friends Club on www.healthy-eco-life.com ! We have started to connect with other friendly organisations from all over Europe (member and candidate countries) interested in an exchange of ideas. We would like to share our experiences of working with children in promotion of health and ecology, and we are also keen to hear your experiences or original ideas and maybe start new partnerships for future projects. You are welcome to our network and google group. If you are interested to download some of our presentations, baseline researches, or you would like to receive BP compendium on EU BP in promotion of health and ecology, please - contact us !

Please visit our website at http://www.petplus.hr .

EPHA related articles :

Croatian ''Healthy Eco Life'' project promotes healthy life styles to school children

Spotlight on European Association of Senior Hospital Physicians

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:14:15Z

Who are we ?

The European Association of Senior Hospital Physicians is a professional association of and for European hospital physicians, who have final responsibility for the patients, with the primary goal to improve all aspects of hospital life in Europe.

Who do we represent ?

The AEMH assembles groups of different specialists promoting hospital management based on quality and safety, possessing valuable expertise in this field.

What is our mission ?

Mission : To improve all aspects of hospital life in Europe Activities :
Risk management and patients safety, evaluation of medical education,
Involvement of doctors in hospital management, hospital accreditation, task shifting in hospitals.

What do we do ?

The AEMH provides a European platform for hospital physicians, which develops and maintains a spirit of cooperation and communication among its national member delegations, improving the understanding of the different health systems. It encourages the exchange of ideas and experiences and promotes discussion among doctors, patients and politicians with the major objective of promoting health and improving patient safety.

How do you get involved ?

Once a year the AEMH organises an international conference. The AEMH Conference 2011 will take place on 26 May 2011 in Montreux, Switzerland.

Save the date !

Please visit our site at http://www.aemh.org.

The European Medicines Agency release adverse reaction reports on acne drug

Leonardo Palumbo, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:12:26Z

The European Ombudsman gave a recommendation that EMA grant access to its adverse reaction reports.

In August 2010, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted the Ombudsman's recommendation to give access to documents related to a drug used to treat severe forms of acne. In June the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, recommended that EMA release adverse reaction reports for an acne drug. EMA had initially denied access, arguing that EU transparency rules did not apply to adverse reaction reports. EMA accepted the Ombudsman's recommendation and announced the release of the reports.

The complaint originated in April 2008, when an Irish citizen asked EMA for access to documents containing details of all suspected serious adverse reactions relating to an anti-acne drug. After taking the drug, his son had committed suicide.

After looking into the complaint, the Ombudsman concluded that the EU rules on access to documents apply to all documents held by EMA. Therefore, the Ombudsman recommended that EMA review its refusal to grant access to the adverse reaction reports.

The Ombudsman further suggested that, as part of a wider proactive information policy, EMA could provide additional clarifications to make it easier for the public to understand such data and their significance. EMA accepted the Ombudsman's recommendation to give access to the documents by announcing the release of the adverse reaction reports. Mr Diamandouros said : "I commend EMA's constructive approach in this important case. EMA's work has a direct impact on the health of European citizens. It is, therefore, crucial to give the widest possible access to documents and to pursue a pro-active information policy for the benefit of citizens."

For Further Information :

The Ombudsman's full recommendation is available at :

Open Health Forum Workshop Report : Health in All Policies – What Role for Stakeholders ?

Sascha Marschang, EPHA — 2010-08-31T13:11:10Z

The Open Health Forum is the European Commission's flagship event gathering over 500 health stakeholders from across Europe to discuss health policy. The theme of this year's conference was ‘Health In All Policies'.

As a member of the Open Health Forum steering group EPHA was invited to organize a workshop to discuss the role of stakeholders, including economic drivers, industry and NGOs, in delivering health in all policies.

As well as discussing the involvement of non-health stakeholders in health policy decision making, participants discussed health stakeholders' involvement in policies which affect health but over which they do not have direct involvement or ownership. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the opportunities and challenges in implementing joined-up health policies through the 'Health in all Policies' approach. Experience has shown that a joined-up approach to policy making results in better policy – the same approach should be taken to delivery of those policies.

As well as EPHA's Secretary General Monika Kosińska speakers included Olivier Raynaud, Senior Director, Global Health and Healthcare Sector at the World Economic Forum ; Michelle Ceccini, Health economist at the OECD ; Graham Minton, Director of Corporate Relations from the World Heart Federation ; Zsuzsanna Benko, Corporate Affairs Manager at Tesco Hungary ; and René Maertens of Echnaton School in the Netherlands. The meeting was chaired by Professor John Ashton, Chair of the UK Public Health Association Council and Director of Public Health in the Cumbria Primary Care Trust in the UK.

Health is a complex outcome with complex drivers. The 'Health in all Policies' approach requires ownership and awareness from other governmental policies such as Education and Agriculture, however the implementation of the approach includes the stakeholders who own the drivers - whether schools, farmers or other local actors. The workshop examined the opportunities and challenges arising from the health sector engaging in partnerships and dialogue with other actors. Given the financial pressures currently faced by publicly funded European health systems, together with the absence of health and well-being from the current EU 2020, the debate was both up-to-the-minute and challenging. Traditionally, government departments of health have been seen as cost centres and ‘drains on resources' rather than areas to be invested in. Investment in health must be recognized as worthwhile for economic operators as employers and investors in people. The World Heart Federation frequently works with businesses to promote heart health. Graham Minton said that the key to this is finding areas where objectives overlap – it is not a question of philanthropy on the part of the businesses.

Participants from the audience drew attention to the need to be sceptical of the added value which economic operators could bring to the issue. A partnership between industry and NGOs would have to be preceded by an admission on the part of the economic operators of the role that they play in driving the causes of ill health.

Olivier Raynaud pointed to the example of GAVI as a successful partnership between economic operators, governments and civil society. He outlined how at the end of the 1990s, the pharmaceutical industry had begun to stop manufacturing vaccinations, what reversed that trend and recommenced production was not children suffering or calling vaccinations a fundamental right, but building GAVI, and creating a market and funding mechanisms – the alliance has to date vaccinated 250-300 million children. He suggested that perhaps this model be exported to other sectors.

Participants questioned whether economic operators ever have a role in delivering health interventions, despite the warning issued by Michelle Ceccini of the OECD that antagonism is the key to failure. OECD research has shown that a combined, multi-stakeholder approach is always the most effective. He gave the example of the failure to establish the proposed tax on soft drinks in the US. He blamed this on hostility between civil society, legislators and the food and drink industry which led to it being impossible for discussions to proceed politically.

The question arose on the limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and indeed when CSR legitimised core business behaviours that are detrimental for health - such as behaviours seen in the baby milk industry. Olivier Raynaud warned that businesses need to understand why it is in their interests to change behaviours or engage in 'responsible' and health promoting activities.

EPHA President Archie Turnbull pointed to this seeming contradiction in activities of the food industry. He pointed out that Unilever, with whom Graham Minton said the World Heart Federation has a productive partnership, actively lobbied against the health community on the proposal for Regulation on Food Information to Consumers. Archie Turnbull questioned whether the health community's approach was mistaken, and if the public interest would be better served if the public health community were to enter into partnerships. Graham Minton pointed out in reply that the two are not mutually exclusive. Despite having a strong partnership with Unilever, the World Heart Federation advocated for stronger food labelling than them, in the case of the proposed Food Information to Consumers Regulation.

Whether such partnerships constitute, or can lead to, a conflict of interest was also a topic of intense discussion. While some attendees felt receiving money from economic operators was in its nature a conflict of interest, others said that it was necessary, particularly when the administrative burden of receiving European Union funding is so great.

Silva Rukavina, President of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations pointed out that while vital issues were being discussed by the panel the youth element was not adequately addressed in the session. Monika Kosińska agreed that upcoming challenges to health including an ageing population and young workforce mean that it is vital to incorporate youth into such discussions.

A clear outcome from the meeting was that this is an important discussion that is only really beginning to start. The workshop was not able to conclude all the important issues that arose, and these will be taken up by EPHA with its members and partners in other settings.