EFA

The Open Health Forum on 29th and 30th of June reunited many stakeholders to discuss integration of health in all EU policies. EFA was in the Steering Group of the Forum, alongside with 5 other health NGOs. In his opening speech, EU Health Commissioner John Dalli said"health policy is also social policy; it is environment policy; it is transport policy; it is education policy; it is research policy; it is digital policy; and many other policies”. He insisted that “Investing in health pays off” explaining that health has an important part in the EU2020 Strategy towards sustainable growth. He also emphasized the importance of prevention wishing for a Europe where citizens are “so healthy they do not need that much healthcare”. During the opening round table the Belgian EUPresidency presented its health priorities and events, and MEP Jo Leinen, chair of the Environment Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament, presented the current work of the EP in this field. MEP Alojz Peterle, former Rapporteur on the EUHealth Strategy Together for Healthinsisted there must be health for all and in all policies, and called for better investment in prevention. Andrezj Rys, Director of the Public Health and Risk Assessment Unit in the Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumers presented the perspective and cooperation of the European Commission on health issues. Panel members stressed that health is still an underestimated issue and that a more holistic approach is needed to ensure better health in Europe Source:  Commissioner Dalli’s Opening speech of the Open Health Forum. Videos and presentations of the Open Health Forum are now available here.