European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)

Commercial determinants of health, regulatory stagnation, and shrinking civic space are shaping health policy in the EU, with citizens’ health slipping down the agenda. We must challenge this trend. There is an urgent need for an enhanced and supported participation of civil society in policy-making, for health to be high on the political agenda, and for regulatory reform that prioritises public health over profit. Our latest report 'Between art and science: Policy-making for health in the EU' showcases EPHA and The University of Edinburgh's collaboration on politics and health. Within its pages, we provide a comprehensive introduction to the EU’s Better Regulation agenda and explain its impact on public health. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eaW2R4xr #HealthPolicy #BRBH #BetterRegulation UK Research and Innovation

📢Did you know women with diabetes face unique challenges and worse outcomes compared to men? From higher risks of complications to socio-economic barriers in diagnosis and care, gender disparities in diabetes must be addressed urgently. Find out more in EPHA’s guest article by Sabine Dupont and Maxence Prizzi from International Diabetes Federation Europe, including:  🔶 Shocking gender differences in health outcomes. 🔶Challenges like gestational diabetes and the toll on mental health. 🔶Policy solutions to close the gender health gap. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePJnspKA #GenderEquality #DiabetesCare #HealthPolicy 

In the latest HCPWP-PCWP meeting held by the European Medicines Agency, Rebecca Barlow-Noone represented EPHA alongside representatives of patient, consumer, and healthcare professional organisations. Numerous important updates were shared, including: 💊Critical medicine shortages: Shortages of GLP-1 receptor agonists and shortages of some insulins remain a top priority at the EMA, with workshops, impact assessments, and the establishment of expert clinical groups. The EMA is also conducting public outreach, including insta live sessions and press events, to educate and develop trust. 📊Patient Experience Data (PED): Drafting groups are working on a reflection paper to encourage international uptake and greater transparency in how PED is assessed, aiming to bridge regulatory insights with real-world healthcare impacts. 🔬Clinical trials: Exciting progress is being made with the revised CTIS portal, which will soon feature useful map of clinical trials across Europe. This will be searchable by disease type and in lay language, to allow the public to find clinical trials of interest. 📲Social Media: The EMA continues to conduct social listening on ‘infodemic insights’, to plan communications and address health misinformation online. EPHA thanks the EMA for continued collaboration and looks forward to following exciting developments over the coming months!

Want to learn more about the upcoming #ZeroHiddenHungerEU Policy Lab? EPHA, in collaboration with the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), is launching a Policy Lab to tackle micronutrient deficiencies across Europe. Discover how this initiative will bring together policymakers, academics, and marginalised communities to co-create sustainable solutions for a healthier, more equitable future. 👉 Learn more below:

📢 Did you know over 35% of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) deaths in Europe are linked to environmental factors?   The European Environment Agency’s recent report, ‘Beating Chronic Respiratory Disease: The Role of Europe’s Environment’, outlines key evidence and strategies to address this urgent health challenge.    Key insights include: 🌫️ Reducing #AirPollution could prevent 14% of CRD-related deaths. ❄️ Tackling #EnergyPoverty protects marginalised groups from extreme cold exposure and can reduce CRD burden. 🚭 Enforcing #TobaccoRegulations minimises second-hand smoke exposure, reducing respiratory risks. 🔄 Addressing climate change is essential to mitigate rising temperatures that intensify allergen exposure, increase wildfire risks, and worsen respiratory outcomes.    The report underscores the vital role of robust public health policy in mitigating these risks and protecting communities.     We are honored that the European Environment Agency has acknowledged EPHA’s contributions to advancing #RespiratoryHealth and tackling environmental determinants of health.    🔗Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dkEfbdst European Respiratory Society, Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) , Sara Bertucci

📢 EPHA welcomes the OECD - OCDE report on cancer as a powerful addition to the evidence base on rising cancer rates globally. The report exposes stark inequities in #cancer outcomes driven by screening & care disparities & the urgent need to focus on preventive measures. At the launch event, EPHA's Senior Policy Manager for NCDs, Alessandro Gallina highlighted that while all cancers could be reduced by 40% by fully addressing all known risk factors, the report estimates that current targets only address 8% of cases. Moreover, the report highlights that progress towards implementing these targets remains limited. This underscores the need for more ambitious and decisive prevention policies to promote healthier lives and ease the growing burden of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, on healthcare systems🌍. Download the report below or read it here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e7GNQBSu #CancerPrevention #HealthEquity #NCDs

Condolences from EPHA on the loss of Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dašić The Board, management, staff, and members of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), wish to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Dr Mira Jovanovski-Dašić, a truly extraordinary leader and public health advocate. “In this time of grief our thoughts are with her family, colleagues, and all who were touched by her work and kindness. EPHA stands in solidarity with SEEHN as you honour her life and remarkable contributions during the Commemoration Ceremony on 25 November,” stated Paolo Lauriola, EPHA President. Milka Sokolovic, EPHA Director General emphasised Dr Jovanovski-Dašić’s enduring legacy as Head of the SEEHN Secretariat. “She will be remembered not only for her exceptional contributions to public health and health diplomacy in South-Eastern Europe, but also for the vision, wisdom, and humanity with which she carried out her work. Her tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on our shared mission to advance health equity and strengthen health systems, and her loss will be profoundly felt across the European public health community,” Sokolovic stated. “We at EPHA had the privilege of forging a closer partnership with SEEHN earlier this year, thanks in large part to the leadership and dedication of Dr Jovanovski-Dašić. Her commitment to building bridges and fostering collaboration between organisations and nations was truly inspiring and set an example for us all to follow,” she added. EPHA is personally touched by this loss and will ensure that we continue to uphold the values of collaboration, equity, and public health advancement that Dr Jovanovski-Dašić championed throughout her life.

🚨Out now: EPHA article with Mediaplanet UK & IE on the intersection of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Climate Change. #AMR and #ClimateChange are interconnected global challenges needing urgent attention. Rising temperatures accelerate the spread of infectious diseases and drive antimicrobial resistance by increasing antibiotic use in humans and livestock. 🐄🌾 🦠Migration due to extreme weather and food insecurity introduces pathogens to new areas, while floods and droughts weaken healthcare systems, fostering resistant bacteria. Addressing these issues requires a #OneHealth approach, integrating cross-sectoral surveillance, sustainable agriculture, and global collaboration. The article, written by our Director General and Member of the World Health Organization CSO Commission Steering Committee Milka Sokolović, and our Policy Manager for Global Public Health, Sara Bertucci, highlights innovative solutions to combat the intertwined threats of AMR and climate change. By fostering alliances through the AMR Stakeholder Network and advancing the One Health in Action partnership, EPHA is paving the way for coordinated global action. 📖 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gNC_7Rv5 or find a copy in The Guardian. #AMRandInfectiousDiseases #WAAW2024

On #EuropeanAntibioticAwarenessDay, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) hosted the digital event "Antimicrobial Resistance is Invisible, I Am Not.”     Hearing patients share their personal experiences with antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) was both powerful and sobering. These stories serve as a reminder: even small, everyday actions can make a huge difference in combating this silent crisis.    Despite efforts, the latest ECDC report reveals a worrying trend: EU antibiotic consumption in 2023 was 1% higher than in 2019, taking us further from our 2030 targets.    What can be done?  1️⃣ Infection prevention is critical: Starting with #HandHygiene and use of alcohol-based hand rubs, especially in the healthcare facilities.   2️⃣ Responsible antibiotic use: Avoid #Antibiotics for viral infections like colds, flu or COVID-19.   3️⃣ Invest in new antibiotics: Prioritise development and equitable access to combat resistant bacteria. This is a shared responsibility. Together, we can turn the tide on #AMR. Together, we can reverse the trend and #KeepAntibioticsWorking—for ourselves and future generations. Let’s act now. 

🦠 Each year, 4.3 million patients in the EU/EEA acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection, many of which are resistant to antimicrobials. This underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to combat antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) and protect public health. During World AMR Awareness Week, MEP Tiemo Wölken, Chair of the MEP Interest Group on AMR, highlights the importance of taking decisive steps to address this growing challenge. EPHA, as the organizer of the AMR Stakeholder Network and co-host of the MEP Interest Group on AMR alongside Health Care Without Harm Europe, contributes to EU efforts through: 🔹 Shaping Policy and Practice: Using evidence to inform policy and promote sustainable solutions through a #OneHealth approach. EPHA collaborates with stakeholders from human, animal, and planetary health sectors, as well as private organisations and communities, to develop cost-effective interventions. 🔹 Advocating for stronger action: Promoting more robust and equitable measures to address AMR at European and global levels. 🔹 Raising awareness: Ensuring AMR remains a key priority on the EU policy agenda through continuous advocacy and engagement. 🔹 Fostering stewardship: Supporting capacity-building and collaboration through partnerships, networks, and events to strengthen AMR stewardship. Through collective efforts, we aim to mitigate AMR’s impact and safeguard a healthier future. Join the AMR Stakeholder Network ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eeh2Kq4i Learn about the MEP Interest Group on AMR 🔗https://lnkd.in/eUVG_Y3M #WAAW2024