Task Force on Major and Chronic Diseases
EULAR is one of the few NGOs which are taking part in the meetings of the European Commission’s Task Force Major and Chronic Diseases (TFMCD), set up by the Directorate-General for Health (DG SANCO). The Task Force contributes to the development a European System of Information on Major and Chronic Diseases, including on musculoskeletal diseases.
The programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) envisages the creation of a comprehensive and sustainable health monitoring and information system to establish comparable quantitative and qualitative indicators at Community level and to collect, analyse and disseminate comparable and compatible age- and gender-specific information on human health at Community level concerning health status, health policies and health determinants.
The Working Party on Morbidity and Mortality is one of the seven working parties created by the Community action programme in 2004 to assist the Commission in the development and coordination of the Health Information System, completing the technical and scientific background work for the establishment of major, chronic and rare disease and mortality indicators and other information needs. Furthermore, it serves as a forum for discussion and exchange of views and experiences on information and knowledge in the fields of morbidity and mortality at national, sub-national and European level. The TFCMD established in the framework of the Working Party focuses specifically on developing a monitoring and information system on major and chronic diseases.
IN FOCUS
Indicators for Monitoring Musculoskeletal Conditions
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4th meeting of the TFMCD
The fourth meeting of the TFMCD took place on 13 December 2006. The representatives of the European Commission informed the participants on the latest developments in the field of health information. Further, the Task Force was briefed on the upcoming legislative and non-legislative initiatives envisaged by the European Commission in 2007. Representatives of the EU Commission’s Research Directorate-General presented the priorities defined in the Health theme in the 7th Research Framework Programme. During the meeting of the Task Force, EULAR emphasised once again the need for more action in the field of musculo-skeletal diseases vis-à-vis the present European Commission officials.
The 5th meeting of the TFMCD took place on 19 June 2007. Main topics were the presentation of the Public Health Executive Agency (PHEA), the re-organisation and work of the Task Force, updates on running legislative procedures as the new Public Health Programme and upcoming Commission documents on Major and Chronic Diseases information.
The 6th meeting of the TFMCD took place on 4 December 2007. Presentations of DG SANCO officials have been featured on topics like the new Public Health Programme 2008-2013, the Commission Communitcation on Rare Diseases and presentations on already funded projects including first results.