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by | March 27, 2013 | Uncategorized

Children’s well-being: investing in a healthy future – a silent emergency in Europe

On 27 March 2013, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Daciana Octavia SÂRBU (S & D, RO) hosted a seminar on child health, nutrition and education policies. In her speech, EPHA Secretary General Monika Kosińska highlighted why is it important to put child well-being at the heart of EU policies.

In her speech, MEP Daciana Octavia SÂRBU (S&D, RO) stressed that good and healthy nutrition have a crucial impact on children life expectancy and that the role of the parents in this regard should not be underestimated.

Ms Octavia urged the European Commission to make more than just recommendations and referred to her letter sent to the Health Commissioner in November 2012 asking for a child health strategy to improve children’s health. She reminded everyone of the dangers of advertising junk food to children and that self-regulation of the food industry could prevent improvements to children’s health.

‘There is a silent emergency in many European countries!’ That was the main message of Sandie Blanchet, the representative of UNICEF Romania. Member states should recognise that investments in children are not a budget line that should be cut.

Child Poverty Recommendations as part of the Social Investment package (SIP)

Julius Op de Beke from DG Employment (European Commission) reminded participants that the Recommendation on Child Poverty can be interpreted in the context of the Social Investment Package (SIP) – a general framework outlining actions in order to mitigate the negative social impacts of austerity measures and budget cuts. Children are more at risk of suffering from the consequences of poverty. By setting up indicators (on childcare, children’s deprivation, children’s health, children with Roma/migrants background) these recommendations call on member states to take action.

There is a need of fair redistribution of revenues and solidarity between generations

EPHA Secretary General Monika Kosińska stressed that Europe cannot afford to go backwards. Our policies should do a better job in enhancing the wellbeing of children – the most vulnerable population who are not able to defend themselves. Without healthy children there won’t be healthy adults. She mentioned the Social Investment Package (SIP) and the School Fruit Scheme (SFS) as good examples of measures taken to benefit health. She also stressed that we need more solidarity and there is a need for a fairer re-distribution of wealth between populations and generations.

She highlighted too the importance of guaranteeing proper housing, and a healthy environment for children to grow up in as they have a huge impact on their public health status.

Taxation on foodstuffs high in salt, sugar and fat

Ms Kosińska stressed that although education and awareness are of course important, targeted taxation can help improve eating habits. She referred to the successful example of the Hungarian hamburger or chips tax. It taxes food products that have a high component of salt, sugar and/or fat. It also helps change the behaviour of food producers who are encouraged to modify the formulation of their products towards more balanced formulas.

EPHA Policy Recommendations on Child Poverty, Health and Well-being

Ms Kosińska reminded the audience that EPHA has a whole set of policy recommendations on child poverty. She pointed out the following possible steps going forward:

  • Make better use of available resources – in particular, the EU Structural Funds have a significant potential to, among other gains, enhance housing conditions.
  • A high level of education is essential in order to achieve the aims of lifelong learning.
  • Healthy nutrition is crucial. The work of the School Fruit Scheme (SFS) should be extended. Moreover, we should provide children with affordable and accessible food in the places where it is needed (especially in urban areas). If parents need a car/bus to access food than there is an accessibility problem.

On his contribution, MEP George Sabin CUTAŞ (S&D, RO) pointed out the unacceptability of child labour. He recalled the European Parliament resolution adopted in 15 December 2011 in which the EP Strongly condemned the use of forced child labour in Uzbekistan.

Michel Matthes, the coordinator of the Alliance for Childhood European Network Group referred to the book The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better pointing out that child well-being outcomes are significantly worse in more unequal rich countries. He highlighted the importance of taxation policy in respect of reducing child poverty.

Philippe Roux (DG SANCO) pointed out that although taxation is Member States’ competence, lowering the current taxes (e.g. on fruits or vegetables) is possible under the current framework.

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