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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