Resilient and innovative EU health systems (Special Reports)

Special reports written by EurActiv in October 2013.

The 16th annual Gastein Health Forum took place in October 2013, defending that Europe’s healthcare systems are in urgent need of “shock-proofing” if they are to meet the challenges posed by severe budget pressures.
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Europeans wish to take greater control of their health through self care, but face barriers and are missing out on the personal, social and economic benefits available, according to a new survey launched at the European Health Forum in Austria on 3 October 2013.
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Austerity-hit member states must avoid deepening inequality when cutting their healthcare budgets, the European Commission said at the European Health Forum in Austria.
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While EU-US trade talks are expected to generate great economic benefits on both sides of the Atlantic, the impact of a trade agreement on the EU's healthcare systems will surely be negative, experts warn.
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The EU's health Commissioner Tonio Borg said he was "confident" that the European Parliament would adopt the highly-debated tobacco directive in October 2013, after the first vote had been delayed.
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Poor responses to budget cuts during the crisis have left many national healthcare systems in a bad state but they can still be shock-proofed for the future, according to policymakers who argue that stronger governance is the key to resilience.
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People who are well-versed in health issues make better lifestyle choices, avoid developing chronic diseases and lead longer lives. But with health literacy varying greatly across the EU, campaigners are calling for action from politicians.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: The financial crisis means that Europe will need to look beyond the public sector to provide its healthcare needs http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-financial-crisis-means-that-europe-will-need-to-look-beyond-the-public-sector-to-provide-its-healthcare-needs/

EurActiv, 03.10.13: Forum calls for a ‘shock-proofed' EU healthcare system http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/health-forum-calls-shock-proof-e-news-530820

EurActiv, 04.10.13: Europeans want better control of their health through self care: Survey http://www.euractiv.com/health/europeans-want-better-control-he-news-530867

EurActiv, 04.10.13: EU countries urged to invest in reducing health inequalities http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/commission-member-states-invest-news-530852

EurActiv, 07.10.13: TTIP: Health sector braced for 'damage control' http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/us-trade-negotiations-damage-con-news-530879

EurActiv, 08.10.13: Borg, EU health ministers push Parliament to adopt tobacco directive http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/borg-health-ministers-call-parli-news-530888

ESO: Background information: Tobacco lobbying derails MEP vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/tobacco-lobbying-derails-mep-vote/

EurActiv, 08.10.13: Good governance seen as key to resilient healthcare systems http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/policymakers-good-governance-key-news-530905

EurActiv, 09.10.13: Campaigners call for common EU strategy on health literacy http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-resilient-innovati/campaigners-low-health-literacy-news-530933

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