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Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General
On the way to a EU Health strategy:results of the reflection process
Bernard Merkel Head of the Health Strategy Unit
13 December 2004
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Today’s presentation
1. Why a health Strategy?
2. Reflection process
3. What stakeholders want
4. What do we do now ?
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1. Why a health strategy
New Commission
Citizens expectations
New Constitution
New diseases
Health gaps
Health: many policies
Challenges
Where we are
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1. Why a Health StrategyWhat we need:
A consistent, long-term, strategic approach to guide health policy
encompassing all SANCO health activitiesmainstreaming health into all EU policieswith clear policy objectives and deliverablesthat responds to citizens’ expectations that reflects the new Constitution
A stronger, comprehensive, coherent EU health policy
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1. Why a Health Strategy
Public Health Programme
Threats
What we have:
Policy actionsexample: Co-operation between health systems
Information Determinants
ECDC
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2. The reflection processWhat is it?
Open consultation on future health strategy (15 July - 15 October)
Aim: help Commission shape future action
Based on Mr. Byrne’s reflection paper and its recommendations for action
Over 180 contributions from citizens, stakeholders, national and regional authorities
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2. The reflection process
What was it about?How to achieve good health for all
focus on promotion and prevention
bridge the health gap/ make health an economic priority
put health at the centre of policy-making
build partnerships for health
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3. What stakeholders want
Stakeholders want
I. A consistent health policy
II. A proactive approach(prevention and more..)
III. A voice in policy-making,
money, info
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3. What stakeholders wantI. A consistent EU health policy
They ask the Commission to:
Make all policies good for healthUse Health impact assessmentTake bigger international roleTackle health inequalities/ new Member States
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3. What stakeholders wantII. A pro-active approach: focus on
promotion yes, but not only
They ask the Commission to:
Start early: focus on youngstersAddress smokingBe innovativeLimit responsibility/ tackle determinantsBalance treatment versus promotionTackle important diseases
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3. What stakeholders want
They ask the Commission to:
Involve them systematicallySupport/sponsor civil societyBalance different interestsImprove PHP: user-friendly/more moneyMatch ambition and resourcesProvide better/more information
III. A voice in policy making (and money and more information)
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3. What stakeholders want
List of participants in reflection process
Individual contributions (184) Report on resultsReflection paper
http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/reflection_process_en.htm
For more information
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4. What do we do now?
Shape a new Health strategybuilt on lessons learntreflecting reflection processwith everybody on board
A consistent, long-term, strategic approach to guide health policy
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4. What do we do now?
Shaping a health strategyPossible key areas
promotion and preventionmainstreaming healthencouraging health investmentbridging health gap
Working together