int_eu_health policy

EULAR and European public health policy

Most of today's political decisions on healthcare systems are still made at national level in the member states of the European Union (EU). There is however a steadily increasing number of initiatives coming from the EU level. These initiatives aim at raising standards and improving the quality of health services in the member states. Governments use the possibilities of the European Union to exchange information and best practices. European reference centers will in the future define guidelines for many sectors. It is likely that new Treaty reforms will lead to increased legislative competencies of the EU in the public health area.

Next to legislation and non-legislative input, the European Union offers also funding opportunities for public health oriented projects. Researchers, patients and health professionals are target groups for these support mechanisms. EULAR has contributed to the shaping of the programme and offers support to project proposals coming from organisations and individuals in the rheumatic and muscoskeletal disease community.

Programme of Community action in the field of public health
2008-2013

The current Public Health Programme launched in 2008 for the period 2008-2013 follows a horizontal approach. Unlike in the past, there are no disease specific public health funding programmes anymore. It has three key priorities: to improve health information and knowledge, to ensure rapid reaction to health threats, and to address health determinants.

Priority measures in the programme are identified on an annual basis in order to allow the programme to focus its resources on a few carefully selected areas adapted to the political context and emerging needs. Rheumatic diseases were defined as a priority in 2008.

EUMUSC.NET

EULAR has successfully managed to set up a project which was selected for funding by the EU in 2008: EUMUSC.NET. The project aims at improving the quality of care of rheumatic and other muscoskeletal conditions in Europe by developing a relevant health information system.

The EU and Chronic Diseases

Because of their heavy impact on economic development, chronic diseases receive today more attention than in the past. European and national policy makers participate in the search for new approaches to reduce the social burden of chronic diseases. EULAR supports this policy shift and calls on governments and Parliaments in Europe to put new instruments at the disposal of the health community to improve the lives of citizens affected by such conditions.

The European Commission has set up a Task Force on Major and Chronic Diseases (TFMCD) which addresses these challenges. EULAR participates in the work of the taskforce, representing the rheumatic and muscoskeletal health community.

The EU and Rare Diseases

In the EU, a rare disease is a condition which affects fewer than 5 people per 10,000. The number of sufferers may still be high, however, as there are some 7,000 known rare diseases. Most are caused by genetic defects, but environmental exposure during pregnancy or later in life, often in combination with genetic susceptibility, is another cause.

Rare diseases are a policy focus of the European Union. In 2008, the European Commission adopted a communication and a proposal for a Council Recommendation on rare diseases. EULAR is involved in exchanges with the European institutions to increase support for the work on rare diseases in its field of competence.

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