Health
Belgium says COVID-19 situation serious as infections reach new highs
The health situation in Belgium is worse than in March during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with cases of infection reaching new highs and the number of people in hospital doubling each week, officials said.
Broken bones, shattered lives: call for action as EU faces rise in osteoporosis
Despite the identification of clear, actionable steps in the prevention of fragility fractures and osteoporosis, EU policy action on the matter remains lacking as the situation is set to worsen. But a new policy toolkit aims to help change this.
Global coronavirus cases surpass the 40 million milestone
Worldwide coronavirus cases crossed 40 million on Monday (19 October), according to a Reuters tally, as the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere fuelled a resurgence in the spread of the disease. The Reuters tally is based on official...
Osteoporosis prevention can start in the womb, says health expert
The narrative that osteoporosis is a natural consequence of ageing must be challenged and emphasis must be given to a smarter way of screening to reduce the risk of fracture and the associated costs, the president of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, told EURACTIV in an interview.
Von der Leyen leaves EU summit to self-isolate
EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (15 October) left a summit attended by the bloc's 27 leaders after learning that a staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus.
European Parliament cancels Strasbourg session and goes virtual
The European Parliament will hold next week's plenary session by videoconference as a precaution against coronavirus, European Parliament President Davide Sassoli said Thursday (15 October), despite French insistence on resuming the assembly's monthly Strasbourg sessions.
Commission launches phase two of fight against hormone disruptors
After conducting a review of the current legislation on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the European Commission is now proposing a set of actions to step up its approach to these hazardous substances.
Paris goes under curfew as Europe ramps up virus restrictions
France on Wednesday (14 October) became the latest European country to toughen anti-coronavirus measures, imposing a curfew in Paris and eight other cities from Saturday, while Germany and Ireland also ramped up restrictions.
Countries turn to rapid antigen tests to contain second wave of COVID-19
Countries straining to contain a second wave of COVID-19 are turning to faster, cheaper but less accurate tests to avoid the delays and shortages that have plagued efforts to diagnose and trace those infected quickly.
EU makes €1 billion bet on Gilead’s COVID drug before trial results
The European Union has agreed to pay more than €1 billion to US pharmaceutical company Gilead for a six-month supply of its antiviral drug remdesivir, shortly before the publication of final results of the biggest trial of the COVID-19 medication.
EU’s new drinking water law is in line with latest science, health expert says
An EU agreement to monitor tap water for the presence of potentially lethal Legionella bacteria takes into consideration the emergence of newer, more effective testing methods, a national public health expert told EURACTIV.
Borrell and Lenarcic quarantined after trip to Ethiopia
The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and the bloc's commissioner for humanitarian aid, Janez Lenarcic, said that they were quarantining after coming into contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus during a trip to Ethiopia last week.
Pharma official: COVID-19 vaccines will need no-fault compensation systems
Billions of people across the world will be vaccinated in a very short period of time once a COVID-19 vaccine is available, inevitably resulting in some side-effects that may or may not be linked to the vaccine. For this reason, countries should adopt no-fault compensation systems, a senior pharma official told EURACTIV in an interview.
Indepent report on COVID hotspot Ischgl slams Austrian government’s handling
The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl became the European epicentre of coronavirus infections in March. The local government there has denied any responsibility, but a new independent commission report begs to differ. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Undernutrition needs a seat at the EU health policy table
A real strategy to tackle undernutrition, and not only obesity and overweight, should be implemented in the EU policy agenda in the wake of the revived cancer fight and COVID-crisis, several lawmakers have stressed in a recent virtual event.
German start-up leads sports clubs towards sustainability
Vanessa Nord believes that a rethinking is underway in Germany's professional sports. In 2019, the 28-year-old founded a company that supports clubs on their way to sustainability: ecologically, socially and economically. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Madrid court strikes down government’s COVID-19 restrictions
The regional high court in Madrid on Thursday (8 October) struck down government restrictions that sealed off the Spanish capital and nine of its satellite cities in a bid to curb soaring COVID-19 infection rates, saying the move lacked legal underpinning and breached residents’ “fundamental rights.”
Debate over building confidence in COVID-19 vaccine heats up
EU stakeholders are exploring ways to build up confidence in a future COVID-19 vaccine, after polls across the world have suggested that the public opinion still is not convinced.
Spain hopes to create 800,000 jobs with EU recovery funds
€72 billion of Spain’s share of the EU Recovery Fund be invested over the next three years to create 800,000 jobs, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Wednesday (7 October). EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Europe hits 6m cases as Scotland, Brussels shut bars
With Europe topping six million coronavirus cases, Scotland and Brussels became the latest to introduce curbs on alcohol consumption Wednesday (7 October), while experts detailed the hugely divergent consequences of the pandemic for the world's richest and poorest.
More cooperation, greater inclusion key to preventing a ‘lockdown generation’
Already precarious in many regions of Europe, youth unemployment has spiked dramatically with the onset of COVID-19, sparking fears of another lost generation. At a recent StartNet Conference, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders called for greater cooperation on facilitating young people’s transition to work.
Pharmaceutical strategy must address antimicrobial resistance, MEPs urge
Thirty European Parliament lawmakers have written to Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides calling for the EU pharmaceutical strategy to integrate the development of, and access to, affordable and quality antimicrobials in a sustainable environment.
‘No second shutdown’, Germany’s Altmaier promises business leaders
Speaking at the annual Industry Day event, Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) promised business leaders that there would not be a second shutdown. He also took the opportunity to be critical of his SPD colleague, Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. EURACTIV Germany reports.