Health: Community action programme 2008-2013

PURPOSE: to establish a second programme of Community action in the field of health for the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1350/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-13).

CONTENT: the programme complements, supports and adds value to the policies of the Member States and contributes to increased solidarity and prosperity in the European Union by protecting and promoting human health and safety and improving public health. The Council approved all of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading.

The programme pursues three main objectives:

1) To improve citizens’ health security:

• Protect citizens against health threats: i) prevent health threats from communicable and non-communicable diseases, and health threats from physical, chemical or biological sources, including deliberate release acts, and take action in this regard; ensure high-quality diagnostic cooperation between Member States’ laboratories; ii) prevention, vaccination and immunisation policies; iii) improve preparedness and planning for health emergencies, including preparing for coordinated EU and international responses; iv) improve existing response capacity, including isolation facilities and mobile laboratories to deploy rapidly in emergencies; v) improve surge capacity and conduct of exercises of health emergency plans, as well as their inter-operability between Member States.
• Improve citizens’ safety: i) early identification of risks and analysis of their potential impact; exchange information on hazards and exposure; ii) safety, quality, availability, traceability and accessibility of organs and substances of human origin, blood, and blood derivatives; iii) improve patient safety through high-quality and safe healthcare, including in relation to antibiotic resistance and nosocomial infections.

2) Promote health:

• Foster healthier ways of life and the reduction of health inequalities: i) increase life expectancy and promote healthy ageing; ii) identify the causes of and address health inequalities within and between Member States, including those related to gender differences; iii) improve solidarity between national health systems by supporting cooperation and patient and health professional mobility.
• Promote healthier ways of life and reduce major diseases and injuries by tackling health determinants: i) take action on key factors such as nutrition, physical activity and sexual health, and on addiction-related determinants (tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs and pharmaceuticals used improperly); ii) promote action on the prevention of major diseases and rare diseases; iii) health effects of wider environmental determinants, including indoor air quality and exposure to toxic chemicals; iv) actions to help reduce accidents and injuries.

3) Generate and disseminate health information and knowledge:

• Exchange knowledge and best practices: i) health issues within the scope of the Programme; ii) cooperation to enhance the application of best practices within Member States.
• Collect, analyse and disseminate health information: i) develop a sustainable health monitoring system with mechanisms for collection of comparable data; coordination of and follow-up to Community initiatives regarding registries on cancer; ii) mechanisms for analysis and dissemination, including Community health reports, the Health Portal and conferences; provide information to citizens, stakeholders and policy makers; develop consultation mechanisms and participatory processes; iii) analysis and technical assistance in support of the development or implementation of policies or legislation related to the scope of the Programme.

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions:

a)      not later than 31 December 2010, an external and independent interim evaluation report on the results obtained in relation to the objectives of the Programme and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of its implementation as well as its consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community programmes, actions and funds;

b)      not later than 31 December 2011, a communication on the continuation of the Programme;

c)      not later than 31 December 2015, an external and independent ex-post evaluation report covering the implementation and results of the Programme;

The Commission shall make the results of actions undertaken pursuant to this Decision publicly available and shall ensure their dissemination.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme is set at EUR 321,500,000.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21/11/2007.