EFA generates evidence, shares knowledge, launches campaigns and raises awareness of allergy and airway diseases. We bring to the agenda EFA’s advocacy and activities through our various platforms that reach out to patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers. In 2023, EFA strengthened the collaboration with the World Health Organisation and with the implementation of EU policies for health through the European Commission EU4Health programme and the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance.
World Health Organization
As an accredited stakeholder to WHO/Europe since 2017, EFA participated in the 73rd meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, that took place in Astana (Kazakhstan), bringing together representatives from 53 Member States, international agencies and institutions, civil society, observers from other regions, as well as other entities in public health and beyond.
EFA led or supported four written statements to the regional committee, which are the only official tool for non-state actors (NSA) to call the attention of the Member States to a certain topic.
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An EFA/ERS written statement on lung health and another one on health emergencies, as part of the European Lung Health Group Keep Breathing campaign supported by the European Network for Smoking Prevention and Control (ENSP) and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA). |
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A written statement on shortages of European primary care workforce, led by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA); |
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A written statement on the Roadmap on Antimicrobial Resistance 2023-2030, led by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA). |
In 2023, EFA was selected to join the new WHO’s Civil Society Commission (CSC), an initiative under the leadership of WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The CSC has been established to deepening and strengthening the engagement with civil societies at global, regional, and national level, for #HealthForAll.
EU4Health Programme
With the highest ever Health Programme budget, in May, EFA contributed to the European Commission Stakeholders’ Targeted Consultation for EU4Health Annual Work Programme for 2024, highlighting the need for patient-centred prevention and improved care policies for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
In June, EFA participated in the EU4Health Stakeholders’ Conference in June 2023 which discussed the preliminary results of the consultation. The main priorities identified by most stakeholders mirrored EFA’s asks, with a focus on disease prevention, health promotion, strengthening of health systems and digital health. The results of the consultation are used to draft a report, that will serve to inform the 2024 annual work programme of the EU health budget.
EFA replied and attended the EU4Health stakeholders conference that will guide the 2024 annual work programme.
EU4Health Civil Society Alliance
During 2023, EFA attended the four quarterly meetings of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance (CSA), an advocacy campaign consisting of 33 health NGOs working at the EU level. By participating in these regular meetings, EFA contributed to the discussions about promoting health-centred policies in the EU, but also in the internal campaign proceedings, such as the development of the annual Action Plan.
In addition, EFA co-signed two key documents stemming from the alliance: the CSA European Elections Manifesto, outlining ten priorities to secure health in the EU political agenda and ensure a true European Health Union in view of the next mandate; and a joint statement on sustainable funding for health organisations, stressing the continuous necessity of a multi-year framework for Operating Grants to safeguard a sustainable civil society on health issues.
