Reducing health inequalities in the EU

The priorities outlined in the document link with the headline recommendations of the global WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health which reported last year, to build knowledge, raise awareness of all actors and develop the contribution of all EU policies, not only within health systems.

The Communication was launched by the Commissioner for Health together with the Commissioner for Social Affairs with a close involvement of Directorate Research and a close involvement of Directorate Research as this is not a matter for the health sector alone, and the wide ranging powers of the EU and its member states provide great potential for world class concrete actions.

This is about the fundamental aims and objectives of the European Union - wellbeing, sustainability and equity for its people and communities. It is now an opportunity to the European Commission, with the post-Lisbon agenda, to engage its action at the local levels, by placing health and health equity high in the new framework for regeneration. According to Ms. Kosinska, EPHA's secretary-general "This opportunity must not be wasted!”.

Communication on Solidarity in Health: Reducing health inequalities in the EU.'