About: Health

Demographic change & increased diversity – an opportunity for European health systems?

The European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) goes into its 19th edition this year. The topic: Demographics and Diversity in Europe – New Solutions for Health

Ethiopian Minister of Health: We are the champions of country ownership in development

In an interview with EURACTIV, Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Kesetebirhan Admasu described the impressive improvements of healthcare in his country over the last years, stressing that the reforms have been designed and implemented without following foreign prescriptions.

Exploring Health and Sustainability Aspects of Palm Oil

On 9 December, 2014 the European Palm Oil Alliance (EPOA) hosted a one-day interactive conference on palm oil in Brussels. The conference provided a  platform for discussion of the various aspects of palm oil.  Through demonstrations, debates and lively plenary sessions it offered new avenues for reflection to policy-makers, food manufacturers and key opinion leaders.

EuropaBio’s Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award 2014

EuropaBio’s Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award aims to showcase European Biotech SMEs that have developed an innovative solution to technical, social and environmental problems.  The award is committed to strengthening the biotechnology and innovation arena in Europe while promoting and empowering SMEs to generate novel solutions to unmet needs.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Cholesterol – What Impact for Europe?

Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 86% of all deaths in Europe, siphoning off 70% to 80% of healthcare budgets – an estimated €700 billion per year. During the 2014 EU Summit on Chronic Diseases, the European Commission identified key actions to tackle those. The initiative was taken in response to a call by the United Nations to reduce Non Communicable Diseases by 25% by 2025. So-called “bad” cholesterol increases the risks of heart diseases and stroke. According to the WHO, globally, a third of ischaemic heart disease is attributable to high cholesterol.

Investing in a sustainable and healthy future for all

On 27 January 2015 partners of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will gather in Berlin, Germany to back Gavi’s ambitious plan to immunise an additional 300 million children against potentially fatal diseases between 2016 and 2020 and save a further five to six million lives.

European Health Forum Gastein 2014

The European Parliament elections - the elections for the President of the European Commisison and the new college of Commissioners in 2014 will earmark an important year of European politics in general and for health policy in Europe in particular.

Chemicals Safety in the Value Chain

Why do we use chemicals at all? Because they are extremely useful! To put this into perspective, the products of the chemical industry are present in about 95% of manufactured goods. And modern economies simply couldn't function without them.

Health and Development: What role for the EU?

African governments are increasingly investing in healthcare, but their progress in preventing infectious diseases could be set back without financial support from the EU and other donors.

EU Parliament approves tougher anti-tobacco laws

Increasing the size of health warnings on cigarette packets, banning flavours and new regulation on electronic cigarettes. These are some of the measures that MEPs approved on Wednesday as part of stricter EU laws on selling and marketing tobacco products.

Why Invest in Vaccines?

Vaccines do far more than protect health; they also protect people’s incomes and savings, and promote economic growth. Find out how.

EU’s new tobacco directive agreed

The EU's Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) was agreed on Wednesday (18 December), after the issue of whether refillable e-cigarettes should be regulated as general sale or medicines has been solved. While a compromise was reached between the Parliament and the Council on Monday night (16 December), it still had to be approved by EU member states as it went beyond the mandate given to the Lithuanian government, negotiating on behalf of the EU countries.

Parvanova: preventing cardiovascular disease saves lives and money

Commission launches new research projects to fight drug-resistant bacteria

The Commission is stepping up the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through funding of 15 new research projects, as data have revealed an increase in Europe of the last-line of antibiotics.

Eat well, drink well, move – A small step for you, a big step for Europe

Obesity is a lifestyle disease that is becoming one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. Unless we make significant changes to both our diet and way of life, obesity will continue to rise in Europe. The solution to this problem must include the 3 following elements: Eat well, drink well, and move.   European leadership to counter the epidemic of obesity is lacking. The event discussed the actions the EU and its member states should take.

Justine Henin on health and obesity in Europe

Justine Henin, is former World No. 1 tennis player having won seven Grand Slam singles titles, and was the women’s singles gold medallist  at the 2004 summer Olympic Games in Athens. She spoke with EURACTIV’s Jeremy Fleming at the conference “Eat Well, Drink Well, Move… a small step for you a big step for Europe”, held in Brussels last week. Read the full interview:

Vassiliou: EU should promote physical activity and a week of sport

Androulla Vassiliou, commissioner for education, culture and sport, recently launched an initiative on physical activity and called for a 'European Week of Sport'. She said that participation in sports and physical activities was one of the most effective ways of staying physically and mentally fit, and referred to the ancient Greek saying ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’.

Employment data shows growing job opportunities in healthcare

The healthcare sector is among the rare ones where demand for labour is increasing, according to the European Vacancy Monitor (EVM), a quarterly bulletin published by the European Commission's Employment directorate.

Parliament wants stricter rules on food for vulnerable groups

The European Parliament yesterday (11 June) adopted new rules on the labelling and content of baby milks and foods for special medical purposes. These will in the future be better defined in order to protect consumers.

EU to impose bigger fines for food fraud after horsemeat scandal

In the wake of the horse meat scandal, the European Commission unveiled plans on Monday to impose bigger fines on food producers who commit fraud. The proposal comes after horse DNA was found in up to 5% of EU products labelled as beef, after the Commission carried out food tests across the continent.