EFA advising on how to tackle socio-economic inequalities in smoking
On January 17th, the Advisory Board of the SILNE project met for the second time in Amsterdam. SILNE – Tackling socio-economic inequalities in smoking is a three-year research project funded under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP 7) of the European Union. EU Policy Officer Roberta Savli represented EFA in the Advisory Board whose aim is to advise the project partners on the timelines and scientific content of their activities. A first meeting was held in Athens last June (read more here). The project studies how tobacco control measures affect groups with different socio-economic status with the objective to propose policy recommendations for policy makers to limit tobacco use and at the same time reduce health inequalities. The project finishes at the end of 2014 and we will keep you posted on the results’ presentation.
Strategy meeting: EU Air Package
On January 23rd, EU Policy Officer Roberta Savli and EU Policy and Programme Intern Jan Meissner participated in the Strategy meeting on EU Air Package organised by Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL). This meeting was attended by wide specter of stakeholders involved in the process of securing better air quality in Europe through EU legislation. The agenda consisted of discussion of the European Commission’s air package proposal published just before Christmas as well as setting up an agenda for upcoming year to promote the topic of clean air. We work together with various NGOs and health groups to contribute to better air quality for all European citizens.
EFA actively participating in a workshop on medical devices
On January, the 27th the European Patients Forum (EPF) and Eucomed, the association of the medical technology industry in Europe, jointly organised a workshop with patient groups, industry and regulators on the status quo of the revision of EU medical devices directives. The aim was to have an open exchange of views on some key topics in this highly technical legislation with a view to a common understanding on the position of both patient groups and the medical devices industry, and an assessment of possible common concerns moving forward. The meeting was attended also by Member State representatives who provided the regulatory point-of-view. EFA was represented by EU Policy Officer Roberta Savli that presented patients’ views on provisions on transparency, emphasising that increased information to patients is paramount for restoring trust in the medical devices’ sector, empowering the users to take the best possible treatment choices and enabling them to play their role in the safety chain. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EFA’s presence on the ELF Council Meeting
EFA President Breda Flood has attended the European Lung Foundation’s (ELF) Council Meeting in Geneva which took place on January 29th.