Public health: Community action programme 2003-2008

The Commission's main amendments to the original proposal can be grouped in several distinct categories reflecting key concerns of the Parliament. - Developing an integrated and coherent approach to health is a primary objective of the health strategy. The Commission has therefore taken account of those amendments which aim to give more emphasis to this aspect of the programme's work by incorporating in the proposal more detailed wording on health impact assessment and related issues. The Commission does not consider that establishing a totally separate strand of action in this area is consistent with its overall approach. It has however, included a new, fourth objective on contributing to achieving an integrated health strategy, in the strand of action on health information; On the scope of the programme, the Commission has accepted those of Parliament's amendments which are in line with the general orientation of the programme. While fully respecting the responsibilities of Member States in the delivery of health services, the programme takes a broad view of public health which encompasses issues in relation to health determinants, health status and health systems, rather than focusing on specific diseases or conditions. It aims to improve health information, combat threats to health such as communicable diseases and tackle the factors underlying disease. Some of Parliament's amendments which have been accepted by the Commission underline the programme's main thrust and clarify its role in addressing relevant issues, such as developing best practice and strategies on specific health-related areas and interventions. Some amendments are designed to ensure that Community added value is maximised. Whilst acknowledging a need for more detail on programme implementation, the Commission cannot accept the reference to a specific, identified 'structure'. It is, however, proposing to include a number of references to appropriate structural arrangements which will be put in place to undertake the necessary technical and co-ordination work on monitoring and disease surveillance. This ensures that the essential technical and analytic expertise, closely involving Member States, will be available. The Parliament's proposal for a mixed management/advisory committee is accepted. There will be revised distribution of tasks between the two modes. This is intended to establish an effective balance between the need to ensure that the Committee can play an effective role in implementing the programme. On financial issues, the Commission will raise the maximum percentage of a project's costs that can be covered by a subvention to 70%, but the overall programme budget should stay at 300M Euro which is in line with the mid-term Financial Perspective.�