Health
No freedom of choice in vaccination, top EU health official insists
There is no freedom of choice when it comes to vaccination because it involves putting other people’s health at risk, a top EU health official has warned, adding that ongoing debate in Italy about inoculations is verging "on the absurd". InfographicPromoted content
Attitudes towards tobacco policies in the EU
What is the public’s opinion towards tobacco control regulations in the EU? InfographicPromoted content
The road to Optimum Nutrition through food fortification
EUsalt calls for fortified table salt to be exempt from nutrient profiles, and for food products using fortified salt to be able to reference this fortification on their packaging.
Spain’s La Liga says ready to turn to EU over City and PSG cases
The Spanish soccer league’s organising body La Liga is ready to turn to the European Union if UEFA does not enforce its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules against Manchester City and Paris St Germain, a spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday....
Greek minister: Effective health and pharma policy needs stronger EU Commission role
A number of member states want the European Commission’s competences in health and pharma policy to be upgraded in order to face more effectively the rising challenges in the field, Greek health minister Andreas Ksanthos told EURACTIV.com in an interview.InterviewPromoted content
Time for a European game-changing movement on infertility
Fertility Europe – the umbrella organisation for infertility patient associations – is launching the 3rd edition of the European Fertility Week from 5-11 November 2018 to raise awareness about the issues faced by all those experiencing infertility.
EU agriculture ministers to decide on EFSA’s budget, sources say
The exact amount of money that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will receive under the new food transparency rules will be decided at the level of agriculture ministers, sources close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.
Will the EU take care of our bones?
In the next legislative term, EU policymakers will be called upon to tackle the risk factors of osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder which has never earned enough attention and is expected to take epidemic proportions in the decades to come, writes Andrea Giustina.OpinionPromoted content
Nutrient Profiling: Friend or Foe?
Salt is essential to a healthy life. But due to a lack of regulatory framework and harmonisation, European public health policies have failed to address issues linked to malnutrition, particularly lack of micronutrients and the ensuing health impacts, writes Inge Neetens.
Scientists warn EU policymakers on ‘confusing’ gene editing court ruling
An interpretation of a recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on gene editing is confusing EU member states, while the scientific community are warning policymakers about the implications on the future of EU farming.
MEP: Need for an EU-wide cancer plan to ensure long-term pharma innovation
The creation of an EU cancer plan will improve EU citizens’ medical needs and access but will also simultaneously help bring innovations to the market, through enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, according to Belgian MEP Lieve Wierinck. VideoPromoted content
Regulating trans fats in food
In light of discussions on an EU Regulation on trans fatty acids (TFA), FEDIOL shares its views on the upcoming EU Regulation and explains briefly industry's action so far.
Study finds rising illicit cigarette trade on social media
Social media and delivery services have become new outlets for organised crime activities when it comes to illicit cigarette trade, according to a new study that has raised eyebrows among EU policymakers.
Innovation in oncology – Can science make cancer a manageable disease?
In Europe, more than 3 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. But recent advances in cancer treatment have offered new hope to those battling the disease.
Revamping buildings improves the climate, public health and social equality
Sobering warnings from the UN about the impact of climate change on our planet and human health has one obvious solution: increase the rate of building renovation, in order to massively cut energy use, writes Vijoleta Gordeljevic.
Governments lack policies to support food sector in low carbon transition – report
Unlike the energy sector, agriculture does not benefit from public policies geared towards a low carbon transition, which means farming is still a significant contributor to climate change due to meat over-consumption, a new report published on 16 October revealed.
32% of chemicals non-compliant with EU rules
A third of chemicals do not comply with European Union rules due to insufficient toxicological data. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
Life-course vaccination – leave no one behind
Vaccination is unquestionably one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health measures available. Despite this, vaccination remain undervalued and underutilised, and there are numerous challenges to optimal uptake of vaccines.
Irish Senate passes alcohol law, introducing minimum price and labelling
For the first time, Ireland has adopted legislation on the risks associated with alcohol, in a country where alcoholism has had devastating consequences. EURACTIV France’s media partner Ouest-France reports.
New drugs: how much are governments paying for innovation?
The European healthcare sector is divided over the “actual value” EU governments pay for the authorised and partly public-funded novel drugs, compared to medicines already on the market.
Recommendation on vaccines should not remain a ‘piece of paper’, Commission says
The European Commission’s proposed recommendation on strengthened cooperation of all stakeholders against vaccine-preventable diseases should not remain a “piece of paper” as it needs to bring tangible results for all age groups, Commission officials told EURACTIV.com.
Expert: Life-course immunisation will save costs and lives
The adoption of a life-course immunisation approach in the EU will have significant multi-level effects, ranging from a healthier population to savings in healthcare budgets, Professor Daphné Holt told EURACTIV.com.
Life-course immunisation
In his 2017 State of the Union speech, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said it was “unacceptable” that children are still dying from diseases that can easily be prevented with vaccines, like measles.