Health

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

Study confirms link between birth weight, weight gain and heart trouble — 05 May 2008, 21:57 CET

Low-grade inflammation in adulthood can be brought on by small size at birth and excessive weight gain during teenage years. This inflammation can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease as well as other cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, a team of UK and Finnish researchers have found. The work, which is partly-EU-funded, was recently published in The European Heart Journal.

New project to streamline diabetes research in Europe — 28 April 2008, 18:50 CET

Setting out a roadmap to guide diabetes research in Europe is the goal of a new EU-funded project called DIAMAP. The initiative, which is funded under the 'Health' theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will analyse the current state of diabetes research in Europe to identify strengths and weaknesses. On the basis of this survey, it will draw up a roadmap for diabetes research in Europe.

European doctors catch the e-health bug — 28 April 2008, 18:46 CET

The majority of European doctors have caught the information technology (IT) bug, according to a new Europe-wide survey on e-health. In total, 87% of European doctors now use a computer in their practices, while 69% have an internet connection. However, lack of training, inadequate technical support and maintenance costs are preventing a wider take-up of e-health applications across Europe.

Pilot on eHealth indicators — 25 April 2008, 17:47 CET

Pilot on eHealth indicators: 'Benchmarking ICT use among General Practitioners in Europe' final report - the European Commission on 25 April published a pan-European survey on electronic services in healthcare (eHealth) that shows 87% of European doctors (General Practitioners) use a computer, 48% with a broadband connection. European doctors increasingly store and send patients' data such as lab reports electronically. In using such eHealth applications, doctors and medical services have already improved healthcare in Europe through, for example, more efficient administration and shorter waiting times for patients. The report also highlights where doctors could make better use of ICT to offer services such as telemonitoring, electronic prescriptions and cross border medical services.

Study reveals worrying state of European teens' health — 24 April 2008, 18:44 CET

Over a fifth of European teenagers are overweight or obese, and few adolescents follow dietary advice on fruit and vegetable intake. These are just two of the findings of the EU-funded HELENA ('Healthy lifestyle in Europe by nutrition in adolescence') project.

Call for proposals for Community Health Programme — 01 March 2008, 14:22 CET

The European Commission has issued a call for applications within the framework of the Second Programme of Community Action in the field of Health (2008-2013).

European cardiovascular disease statistics — 28 February 2008, 23:47 CET

This is the third edition of European cardiovascular disease statistics. The first edition was published in 2000 when the European Union consisted of 15 Member States. After enlargement in 2004 and then again in 2007, there are now 27 Member States. Much has changed in the last seven years, but cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the main cause of death in the EU. European Heart Network - EHN - web site.

EU-funded study suggests link between acrylamide in food and breast cancer — 10 January 2008, 17:16 CET

Acrylamide in food could increase the risk of developing breast cancer, according to new, EU-funded research published in the International Journal of Cancer.

HIV infections in Europe still on the rise — 30 November 2007, 23:19 CET

In 2006, a total of 86,912 new HIV infections were reported across 50 of the 53 countries of the WHO (World Health Organisation) European region, the latest EuroHIV report released on 23 November in Tallinn, Estonia, shows. 30% of those cases were recorded in EU member states.

HIV / AIDS in Europe - guide — 30 November 2007, 22:35 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

Finnish islands' sale of oral snuff has Brussels fuming — 30 October 2007, 21:27 CET

Finnish islands' sale of oral snuff has Brussels fuming

EU project to improve clinical practice guidelines for cancer across Europe — 30 October 2007, 18:11 CET

Ensuring that the latest results from cancer research are translated into clinical practice guidelines across Europe is the goal of the EU-funded (Coordination of Cancer Clinical Practice Guidelines in Europe) project.

Cancer research spending on the rise in Europe: study — 19 September 2007, 18:41 CET

Spending on cancer research in Europe is on the up, and Europe is now a major contributor to the global cancer research effort, according to the second cancer research funding survey by the European Cancer Research Managers (ECRM) Forum. However, growing levels of bureaucracy threaten to stifle future research, the report warns.

EU seeks new tools to prevent animal disease outbreaks — 19 September 2007, 18:16 CET

The Commission has unveiled proposals to reduce to "a negligible level" the serious threats which animal diseases, such as bird flu, pose to human health and the rural economy.

European Community Animal Health Policy 2007-13 — 19 September 2007, 13:16 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

Poll highlights Europeans' interest in health research — 18 September 2007, 17:02 CET

Europeans are more interested in medical and health research than in international news or economic affairs, a new Eurobarometer survey reveals.

Health in the European Union - Eurobarometer Sep 07 — 14 September 2007, 20:10 CET

Although European citizens appear to be generally aware of the importance of preventive medical checkups, the vast majority of them do not undergo colorectal cancer or prostate tests, an EU wide survey reveals. The Eurobarometer on "Health in the European Union," published today, which marks the European Prostate Awareness Day, indicates that only 13% of European men took the Prostate Specific Antigen Tests and only 8% of all respondents the colorectal cancer test. The survey also reveals that, in general, Europeans are aware of the importance of preventive check ups as more than six out of ten carry out dental tests and almost four out of ten get their eyes checked every year. According to the Eurobarometer, a sizeable majority of EU citizens consider themselves to be in good health. In fact, less than one in ten (7%) say that their health is bad or very bad.

EU influenza research projects — 13 September 2007, 19:18 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

EU-funded flu vaccine shows promise in trials — 12 September 2007, 16:21 CET

A new flu vaccine developed by EU-funded researchers has shown promise in clinical trials, according to the European Commission, which has also released details of the first flu-related projects to receive funding under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

EU initiatives to promote physical exercise - questions & answers — 31 August 2007, 23:29 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

EU policy on nutrition and obesity — 31 August 2007, 23:25 CET

Initiatives on nutrition and obesity in the European Union

EU committee recommends omega-3 supplements during pregnancy — 31 August 2007, 16:41 CET

Pregnant women should take a daily supplement of omega-3 acids, an EU supported consensus committee has recommended. The supplement would increase the likelihood of a healthy birth and boost child development.

Bulgarian medics freed after Libya wins closer ties to EU — 24 July 2007, 21:57 CET

Six foreign medics sentenced to death then life imprisonment in Libya in a controversial AIDS case were free in the Bulgarian capital Tuesday after the EU struck a multi-million-dollar financial and trade deal with Tripoli.

Sunscreen products: EU guide — 10 July 2007, 10:26 CET

News, background information and web links about the public health policy of the European Union.

EU sun exposure pictograms — 10 July 2007, 10:23 CET

New pictograms from the European Commission to inform consumers on the dangers linked to sun exposure. For use by local authorities and stakeholders in the EU Member States.