Health
ECDC chief: Low risk for coronavirus but EU pandemic prep should be reviewed
The EU agency for infectious diseases control still considers the risk for the novel coronavirus low for Europe. However, its director is calling for a rethink of pandemic preparedness plans to help ensure Europe is equipped to deal with a virus spread scenario such as the current one in China.
Health minister: This time Belgium could mine healthcare data instead of coal
Belgium has an enormous wealth of digital data, which could help it become a new “mining” country. “We could mine data instead of coal”, Belgian Health Minister told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Chinese ambassador: Panic could be a more fearful adversary than coronavirus
In fighting an epidemic, it is quite befitting to say that the only thing to fear is fear itself. In other words, panic could be a more fearful adversary than the virus itself, the Chinese Ambassador to the EU Zhang...
MEP: Green Deal should ensure EU food sector’s competitiveness
With the new European Green Deal, all actors across the food chain will need to adjust to new EU standards. But policymakers also have to make sure EU industry is protected against unfair competition, MEP Maria Spyraki told EURACTIV.com.Special ReportPromoted content
Interview with Sir Peter Ratcliffe, 2019 Nobel Laureate: Paving the way for new cancer treatments
Just days before the inspirational scientist will receive the Nobel Prize in Stockholm, he underlines that it is "important that scientists are allowed to derive knowledge for its own sake”.
Health campaigners praise Finnish presidency’s focus on well-being
Finnish presidency approach on the economy of wellbeing was a milestone for a successful reorientation of health services towards a multisectoral approach in designing, building and delivering people-centred care, said Anna Żakowicz, Director of Programs at AHF Europe.
Whole grains ‘key part of a healthy diet’
In an interview with EURACTIV, Michaela Pichler, secretary-general of the International Association for Cereal Science and Technology (ICC), spoke about the importance of whole grains, but also about the lack of industry standards, labelling and promotion of whole grain foods.
Expert: New European Commission should focus on the outcomes of diabetes
The new European Commission should focus on the outcomes of diabetes rather than on the processes within the healthcare system, which have been chronically fragmented and lacking strategic focus, Professor John Nolan told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Expert: EU citizens and industry expect ‘big reduction’ in mandatory animal testing
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the Joint Research Centre scientists have a key role to play in meeting the demand of EU citizens and industry, who want to see a big reduction in mandatory animal testing via new methodologies, Dr Julia Fentem told EURACTIV in an interview.
Velux CEO: ‘If you want the most energy efficient home, live in a cave’
Companies and lawmakers must take more responsibility in helping to solve issues related to buildings, including reducing carbon emissions and improving health standards, according to Velux CEO David Briggs.
Czech drug policy shifts toward patients with rare diseases
The Czech government has launched a legislative initiative to improve access to most modern medications and rare disease drugs, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch told EURACTIV in an interview, adding that patients are involved in the decision-making process at a very early stage, including in drafting the law.
Vaccines are victim of their own success, global health expert says
One of the reasons behind the decline in vaccine confidence is that people have gotten complacent, as diseases that have killed millions of people aren’t here anymore due to the success of vaccination, an epidemiologist told EURACTIV.
FAO official: ‘Veganism is certainly not for everyone’
Veganism is certainly not for everyone, particularly when it comes to mother and children, as it is deficient in some important minerals and vitamins, Henning Steinfeld, an official from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), told EURACTIV in an interview.
Navracsics: ‘Health lifestyle is more than sport’
EU Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics praised the involvement of "a wide range of actors" in promoting physical activity in Europe, and called on the private sector to ensure that healthy choices are easier and more affordable for everyone.
Greek pharma boss: ‘We reached our limits, our sustainability is at stake’
The Greek pharmaceutical industry has reached its limits due to a number of “unreasonable” burdens imposed by the government during the crisis, Greek pharma chief Olympios Papadimitriou told EURACTIV.com in an interview. The sustainability of pharma companies is at stake, threatening 86,000 jobs, he said.Promoted 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.
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.
Healthy buildings expert: ‘Homes cause hurricanes’
At the Healthy Buildings Day (HBD) in Brussels last week (26 September), academic experts painted a vivid picture of how the edifices we spend our days in shape our lives and the planet itself.
EFSA boss: Our advice should not be misused for short-term political interests
The selective approach of some campaign groups regarding the credibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) results in a “general erosion of trust” in the bodies designed to protect public health, EFSA director Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
JTI boss: EU Scientific Advisory Mechanism could adjust tobacco directive to reality
The next European Commission should enhance its collaboration with the EU’s Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM), which would provide bias-free consultancy and eventually adjust the Tobacco Product Directive to the reality, JTI’s Ramunas Macius said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
Professor: EU should establish roadmap for hepatitis C virus elimination
Eliminating hepatitis C should be tackled at EU level by establishing a clear political road map and mobilising public and private funding, Angelos Hatzakis told EURACTIV in an interview.
Investment in digital health and access to drugs at the core of Austrian Presidency
Austria’s EU Presidency will focus on “strong” investment in digital health as well as on regulatory issues when it comes to access to medicines, Dr Clemens Martin Auer told EURACTIV.com in an interview. Dr Clemens Martin Auer is the president of the...
EFPIA President: Next EU Commission should prioritise competitiveness in pharma innovation
The next European Commission should focus on the bloc’s role in the global context of innovation, as China is “decisive” about creating a reliable framework for intellectual property and connecting biotech start-ups and digital companies, EFPIA’s President Stefan Oschmann told EURACTIV.com in an interview.