A coalition of twelve European public health and safety umbrella organisations have launched a call for action to reduce alcohol-related harm in Europe. In advance of a meeting of the EU Ministers for Health, where the Swedish Presidency will present

On 19 November the 27 Heads of States and Governements named Herman Van Rompuy as the first President of the European Council. Catherine Ashton will be the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the EU. Both positions have been created

Update** In June 2009, EPHA attended a preparatory meeting for the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion and collected some useful information for its members. **June 2009** Update In June 2009, EPHA was involved in the preparation

A closer look at the legislative proposals on 'information' to patients : Making the right choice for Europe' will take place on Wednesday 2 December 2009 in the European Parliament. Information to Patients is the most controvertial part of the

On 4 December 2009, there will be a seminar looking at how self help groups in the field of alcohol and drug related problems may contribute to prevention and social integration in local communities and at how self help may

Welcome to the October 2009 Newsletter This month has been busier than normal for the time of year, with Brussels rallying to organise itself following the election of a new Parliament in June, and the imminent departure and new appointment

Gastein was held this year from 30 Sept - 1 Oct. EPHA is on the Advisory Board of Gastein. The meeting is held annually and attended by 500-600 high level representatives from across Europe in government, academia and industry. Please

The ENVI Committee in the European Parliament has begun discussing the issue of pharmacovigliance following the release of the Commission proposed Directive as part of the Pharmaceutical Package in November 2008. On 1 September 2009 Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise

As part of the celebrations of 10 years of DG Sanco, the EPHA SG was invited to participate in a high level meeting on 23 October in Brussels, preceded by a high level dinner on the evening of 22 October.

October was an extremely busy month for the Secretariat ; we held our General Assembly and elections, participated in a number of workshops and activities including on alcohol, global health and others, maintained our campaign for a Health Intergroup and

Following a request from the Swedish Presidency, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) presented its views on alcohol-related harm in Europe at its plenary session on 30 September. According to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), stricter controls

Amsterdam, 9 October 2009 - The European Public Health Alliance attended a conference on Ethnic Minorities and Fighting Sexually Transmittable Infections (STIs), including HIV across Europe.The event, entitled "United we stand !", covered a variety of issues and was an

On 5-6 October, EPHA participated in the National Obesity Forum's 7th Annual Conference, hosted at the Royal College of Physicians. The National Obesity Forum (NOF) was established by medical practitioners in May 2000 to raise awareness of the growing health

The aim of the European Nutrition and Health Report is to provide a comprehensive view of the health and nutrition status in the European Union that focuses on diet, physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. In order to follow

The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) held its Annual General Assembly on 14-15 October in Brussels. Representatives from over 30 EPHA member organisations attended the event. Members elected a new Executive committee, who elected from amongst their members Mr Archie

EPHA awarded its first ''Services to Public Health Award'' to John Bowis, leading health advocate and former MEP to honour his lifetime achievements as a champion for public health. The award was presented by Commissioner Vassiliou at the EPHA Annual

In 2002, the European Commission (EC) agreed to fund a 42 month joint UNFPA-IPPF programme on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in 22 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries - which despite national and international efforts, has experienced difficulties

The European Medicines Agency has reviewed preliminary data from clinical trials on pandemic flu vaccinations. The clinical trials are ongoing and updates will be provided as data are received. The results will be sent to the European Commission. The Committee

The European Commission has been involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the EU and neighbouring countries since 2005, the date of the adoption of its first strategy. In October 2009, the Commission renewed its efforts by adopting a strategy

The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) launch campaign to put health at the heart of climate change negotiations. The health community is asking the EU to provide a better "treatment" for the ailing climate