employment

EPHA briefing: Health in the Europe 2020 Strategy

The Europe 2020 Strategy was launched in 2010 to promote ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’. It sets targets for employment, innovation, climate and energy policy, education and social inclusion, most of which are in some way related to health policies and priorities. For example, public health has clear implications for work hours, labour force participation, early retirement, and health and safety at work, and these factors impact on health. In the Annual Growth Survey (...)

Health Commissioner Tonio Borg - EU Commission takes gender dimension and men’s health into account on its policies

The seminar hosted by Christel Schaldemose (S & D, DK) focused on men’s health as a vital public health issue. Health Commissioner Tonio Borg highlighted the importance of reducing health inequalities and explained how the Commission takes into account the gender dimension within its policies to improve men’s health. He stressed that prevention of diseases is much more cost effective than the cure. The résumé of the event is available here Background information On 25 (...)

[Update] European Parliament’s Industry and Employment Committees vote on the General Data Protection Regulation

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee voted on 20 February to adopt an opinion on the proposed General Data Protection Regulation. The Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee also voted the following day to adopt their own opinion. A total of four committees have now submitted opinions to the Rapporteur, including the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Legal Affairs committees. The ITRE Committee opinion, drafted by MEP Sean (...)

Council conclusions on the Annual Growth Survey 2013

The council has presented the conclusions on the Annual Growth Survey 2013. The Conclusions’ first part focuses on the 2013 European Semester; the second part analyses fiscal and macroeconomic policy consolidation with special attention on restoring lending to the economy and promoting growth and competitiveness. Finally, the last part shows how to mobilise EU level growth drivers. The Council has stated that the main priorities in the current economic situation should be reviving (...)

EPHA Report on the Impact of the Crisis on the Population Mental Health

Economic crises such as the one Europe has been going through since late 2007 have a considerable impact on the society as a whole. Sky-rocking unemployment, the use and abuse of unhealthy substances, and mental illnesses are just some of the areas EPHA looked at in its just-released "Report on the impact of the crisis on the population mental health". “The economic crisis should not turn into a health crisis”, John Dalli, ex EU Commissioner in charge of health and consumer (...)

[EPHA Press Release] Getting it right – a sustainable road to recovery

Brussels, 20 February – The package provides policy guidance to EU Member States on better invest in human capital, people’s future and social infrastructure. The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) (2) applauds this initiative as it aims to equip people living in Europe with the right tools and skills to face today’s challenges whilst addressing the social impact of the crisis. This is a breakthrough in tackling the current waste of human potential, as it dispels the (...)

European doctors send open letter on the effects of austerity on the health of people

On January 31, doctors from Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Greece sent an open letter to European political leaders and health authorities in which they deplore the effects that financial and economic decisions adopted as a response to the economic crisis are having on the health of the populations of their countries. They call on immediate action to reverse this situation. In each of the countries the letter has been signed by doctors in leading positions including the presidents of (...)

Revised Digital Agenda aims to boost economic growth and innovation

Following a comprehensive policy review, the European Commission published an updated Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE) on 18 December, which identifies seven new key areas to stimulate the conditions for creating growth and jobs in Europe. The focus is largely economic and eInclusion is not very pronounced, however it is hoped that in combination with the existing goals they can contribute to bridging the digital divide, especially for vulnerable groups and patients less likely or able to (...)

Health Mediation Programme in Romania

This article provides information about a vital programme implemented by EPHA partner organisation SASTIPEN Roma Center for Health Policies, based in Romania. Their ’’Health Mediation Programme: Opportunity for increasing the employment rate amongst roman women” is an example of how economic and health objectives can be tackled simultaneously. Health Mediation Programme The health mediation programme represents the “business card” for Romania when discussing (...)

European Federation of Nurses Associations issues letter to Irish government on reduction of salaries for new graduate nurses

Following the Irish Government decision to cut the pay of new graduate nurses, the European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN) (EFN) has issued a letter supporting the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (INMO) campaign on equal pay for the new graduate nurses. The EFN letter reads as follow: "Brussels, 25 January - The Irish government currently holds the EU Presidency and EFN counts on the Irish politicians to strengthen European citizens’ belief in a prosperous future, (...)