Diabetes

EPHA calls on the Danish government to maintain its leadership in public health in Europe

EPHA reacted in an open letter to an article published last July 1 in the Belingske Tiderne, a Danish Newspaper. The story reported on discussions and negotiations on the Danish tax reform, and in particular, about a possible withdrawal of the Danish tax on saturated fat. The statement, addressed to Möger Thor Pedersen, Minister of taxation and Astrid Krag Kristensen, Minister of health and prevention, emphasises the importance of maintaining the tax and thus the country leadership in (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , Cancer , Health Inequalities , prevention , promotion , agriculture

WHO releases the World health statistics 2012 report

What is the World Health Statistics report? The World Health Statistics report, published every year, contains a WHO’s annual compilation of data from 194 countries on a range of mortality, disease and health system indicators as well as risk factors and behaviours that affect health directly. The report also includes a progress summary on health-related Millennium Development Goals and targets. This year’s report provides evidence of the dramatic increase in the conditions (...)

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Also about: Non-communicable diseases , obesity , Health Inequalities , Millenium Development Goals , Children health

"Living longer, better" - European Conference on Chronic Diseases - 11 May 2012.

On the 11 May, the European COPD Coalition organises a Conference on the EU reflection process on chronic diseases, entitled ’Living Longer, better’ - in parternship with EHN, ECCO, ERS and IDF Europe - EPHA members. Venue: Mundo B building, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1040 Brussels When: Friday 11 May (following the EU Health Policy Forum), from 10.00 to 16.00 including a lunch break (sandwich lunch is provided) Objective of the Conference: This will be a unique opportunity (...)

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Also about: alcohol , tobacco and smoking , Chronic Diseases , Healthcare services , obesity , Nutrition Platform , Addictive and harmful substances and behaviours , social determinants of health

EPHA Media Coverage - Food taxes

EPHA has been leading work at the EU level to advocate for taxes to be applied to foods high in sugar, salt and fat, and for subsidies to be given to fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. The following is a summary of the press coverage which we have received for the work. Euractiv (march 2012) Health.in.gr - Δεν «χαλιναγωγείται» η παχυσαρκία (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , poverty and health , Cancer , financial , taxation , agriculture

***Update October 2012*** Food taxation in Europe: Evolution of the legislation

More and more countries adopt stricter food taxation and food fiscal measures, as a response to the obesity epidemics and the financial crisis. This article will be updated regularly with the evolution of the legislation in EU Member States. Overview of the discussions and/or implementation of such measures in European countries In January 2010, the Romanian Government announced the possible introduction of a tax that would impact on foods that are high in fats, salt, sugars and (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , Cancer , Health Inequalities , prevention , promotion

EPHA briefing on food taxation and other fiscal measures

An increasing number of European countries consider introducing ’fat’ or ’sugar’ taxes as a combined response to both the economic crisis and the fight against obesity. EPHA has developed a briefing to assess how such taxes could be implemented and which fiscal measures would make healthier options more affordable and the unhealthy more expensive. Because the price of a product is one of the elements that strongly influences its purchase, an increasing number of (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , Cancer , Health Inequalities , prevention , promotion

EPHA Open Letter to the Irish Minister for Health on the proposed sugar tax

Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health of Ireland, announced in last September considering introducing a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. The European Public Health Alliance welcomes the initiative and strongly encourages the Government to take its initiative forward. In September 2011, Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health of Ireland, announced he is considering introducing a sugar tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. Ireland is, as many European countries, seriously affected by overweight, (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , Cancer , prevention , promotion

EPHA Summary of the EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical activity and Health

A meeting of the EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical activity and Health took place on 6th of October 2011. Participants exchanged on the issues of education and communication, notably on the establishment of a framework to communicate on the Platform achievements. Further information about the Platform meeting are available below. On Thursday 6th of October 2011, members of the EU Platform for action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health met and discussed the issues of education and (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , obesity , Cancer , Health Inequalities , prevention , promotion

Current front-of-package labelling of children’s food products confuse and mislead parents

A new study from the Prevention Institute examined the front-of-pack labelling of children’s food products in the US and concluded that 84% of the studied products failed to meet basic nutritional standards and 95% contained added sugar. In addition, the study found that front-of-package labels confuse and mislead parents. Over the past few months, the Prevention Institute - based in the US - worked on a study entitled "Claiming Health: Front-of-Package Labeling of Children’s (...)

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Also about: food, diet and nutrition , children and adolescents , Non-communicable diseases , food labelling , Health Inequalities , direct to consumer advertising , prevention , promotion

UN Summit on non communicable diseases: political momentum but no concrete targets

On the 19-20 September, the second UN Summit dedicated to Health took place and focused on non communicable diseases (NCDs). Although the Summit recognized that the global burden of NCDs constitutes one of the major challenges for the twenty-first century, world leaders failed to set concrete objectives and targets to address it. The expected outcome of the UN Summit was the adoption of a Political Declaration addressing the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. While the (...)

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Also about: Gender Issues , Non-communicable diseases , Chronic Diseases , Cancer , WHO , Health Inequalities , prevention , promotion