Public health: Community action programme 1999-2003 on injury prevention, EHLASS incl.

The Economic and Social Committee congratulates the Commission for the latest proposals for action programmes in the context of the Communication on the framework for action in the field of public health. These programmes show a will towards a more horizontal approach in public health policy, according to which health promotion should deal with all aspects of the living environment. The Committee is particularly pleased that the Commission is carrying out a more in-depth analysis of the health circumstances of specific age groups (i.e. children, young and elderly people) and environments (i.e. home and schools) as reflected in the current proposal. The Committee has a number of specific comments concerning: Budget: given that funds are only allocated up to 1999, it is critical that, from the onset, the continuity of the programme is guaranteed until the year 2003, which is the end of the proposed period of action. Consistency and complementarity: it is essential that consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community programmes and actions are guaranteed especially with regards to the EHLASS system, which could expire at the end of 1997. Product safety: there should be a strong cross-link established between injury prevention and Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety . In this connection, the Committee endorses those proposed measures (i.e. under the injury prevention capacity area) directed to add public health value to other Community policies for injury prevention such as the above-mentioned directive. �