Decision n° 521/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2001 extending certain programmes of Community action in the field of public health adopted by Decisions N° 645/96/EC, N° 646/96/EC, N° 647/96/EC, N° 102/97/EC, N° 1400/97/EC and N° 1296/1999/EC and amending those Decisions.
29 march 1996
Decision n° 645/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 1996 adopting a programme of Community action on health promotion, information, education and training within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000).
All of these were replaced by the Public Health Programme (2003–2008) and the Health Programme (2008-2013).
Health promotionThe aim was to improve the general standard of health by improving knowledge about risk factors, and encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles and behaviour.
Health monitoringThe aim was to produce comparable information on health and health-related behaviour of the population, on diseases and health systems based on European-wide common agreed indicators.
Communicable diseaseThe objectives of the programme were to help contain the spread of AIDS and reduce mortality and morbidity due to communicable diseases.
Cancer
The Community action plan against cancer contained 22 measures, covering the fields of data collection, public information, education, cancer training for health-care workers, early detection and systematic screening, quality of care, and research.
Rare diseasesThe aim of the programme was to develop work on rare diseases. Specific attention was given to improving knowledge and to facilitating access to information about these diseases.
Injury preventionThe aim was to contribute to public health activities which seek to reduce the incidence of home and leisure injuries.
Pollution related diseasesThe aim of this programme was to help to develop policies and strategies in the field of health and the environment, focusing on the prevention of pollution-related diseases, including the improvement of knowledge and understanding of health risks associated with them.
Drug preventionThe aim was to help in combating drug dependence, in particular by encouraging cooperation between the Member States, supporting their action and promoting coordination between their policies and programmes.
The EU is required to ensure that human health is protected across all policy areas, and to work with EU countries to improve public health, prevent human illness and eliminate sources of danger to physical and mental health.
The EU Health Programme outlines the strategy for ensuring good health and healthcare. It feeds into the overall Europe 2020 strategy which aims to make the EU a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy promoting growth for all – one prerequisite for which is good health. The Programme is focusing on major Commission priorities, such as:
- Jobs, growth and investment (health of population and health care services as a productive factor for growth and jobs)
- Internal market (for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cross-border health care directive, and Health Technology Assessment)
- Single digital market (including eHealth)
- Justice and fundamental rights (fighting against health inequalities)
- Migration policy
- Security (preparedness and management of serious cross border health threats).
What is the Health Programme?
The Health Programme is a funding instrument to support cooperation among EU countries and underpin and develop EU health activities. The legal basis for the Health Programme is agreed with the European Parliament and the Council for a period of several years.
Third Health Programme (2014-2020)
Regulation (EU) 282/2014 is the legal basis for the current Health Programme. With a budget of €449.4 million and throughout 23 priority areas, the Health Programme serves four specific objectives:
- Promote health, prevent disease and foster healthy lifestyles through 'health in all policies',
- Protect EU citizens from serious cross-border health threats
- Contribute to innovative, efficient and sustainable health systems
- Facilitate access to high quality, safe healthcare for EU citizens.
- The EU Health Programme in a nutshell
- Presentation
- Legislative process
- Annual work plan 2020
- Infograph: Health Programme – SANTE & CHAFEA roles
- Mid-term evaluation
- Consultation on mid-term evaluation
Previous Health Programmes
The two previous health programmes from 2008-2013, and 2003-2007 generated knowledge and evidence that served as a basis for informed policymaking and further research.This included best practice, tools, and methodologies that secured benefits for both the public-health communities and citizens directly (e.g improving diagnostic tests, supporting EU countries in developing national actions plans on cancer, improving patient care).
How does it work?
The Programme is implemented by means of annual work programmes agreed with countries on a number of annually defined priority actions and the criteria for funding actions under the programme. On this basis, the Consumers Health Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) organises calls for proposals for projects and operating grants, as well as calls for joint action and tenders. Direct grants are signed with international organisations active in the area of health.
Proposals are evaluated by the Chafea, assisted by external experts. External experts are selected through calls for expression of interest.
For more information please see here.
Who can participate?
All EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Moldova and Bosnia & Herzegovina participate, meaning that entities registered there are also eligible to participate in the calls for proposals.
Organisations from other countries are also encouraged to get involved, however funding can not be awarded to them. Participation is open to a wide range of organisations, including:
- Public authorities
- Public sector bodies, in particular research and health institutions
- Universities and higher education establishments
- NGOs.
Funding mechanisms
There are two main funding mechanisms: grants and tenders. Grants for projects, operating grants, direct grants with international organisations and grants to EU authorities and bodies for co-financed actions (called joint actions).
The type of funding available for each action is set out each year in the work plan. Unless indicated otherwise (e.g. tenders), the basic principle is joint funding, with Commission grants covering a certain percentage of overall costs.
Application process
All the information on how to participate in the health programme, together with application forms, is available on the Chafea website.
You can get additional help and advice from your National Focal Point.