Andrzej Rys, Director of Public Health and Risk Assessment of DG SANCO of the European Commission held a presentation on 21 February, 2008
On the Commission agenda
Director Rys has pointed out the significance of programmes aimed at improving and promoting health in an even wider context than only those of the Member States of the European Union. He stressed the importance of communication between the stakeholders at national and community level. In order to achieve our common aims, health protection will also play a more significant role, in the new Constitutional Treaty. Member States need better, closer cooperation. Besides that, the improvement of public information and raising the awareness of health issues is also high on the agenda of the Commission.
It is encouraging that the Union assigns a substantial amount of financial means to realize the dissemination of health-related knowledge. International organisations such as the WTO and the OECD are also partnering up with the EU in its endeavours.
Communication and open dialogues
Communication is vital for a successful implementation of the aims the Union strives for, which can be summed up by the wording “enabling good health for all”. Publishing a green paper on smoke-free environments, and white papers on obesity&nutrition and health strategy, the European Union tackles the main areas of interest in the field with a dynamic approach. Various discussion fora also help the citizens share their views and experience to find solutions for the most acute health-related problems of an ageing European society. The effect of active exercise can never be underestimated and its revitalising impact was also mentioned.
The guests also made the point that in comparison to new Member States, older ones are usually more active in expressing their views in public debates, their say is more present and thus often can weigh more when decisions are being made. A higher activity of the Hungarian public is welcome at the various health-related websites where discussions before launching major initiatives are held. The e-newsletter and the EU health website are accessible in Hungarian language as well, which may contribute to raising awareness on the issues of public health.
