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List of publications from the EP Think Tank
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank
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Keyword "health care"
67 Result(s)
Creation date : 16-06-2022Boosting cooperation on health technology assessment
Publication typeBriefing
Date09-12-2021
AuthorAMAND-EECKHOUT Laurence
Policy areaPublic Health
Keyword cross-border cooperation | exchange of information | health care | innovation | medical device | medical science |
patient's rights | proposal (EU) | public health | scientific cooperation | technology assessment
Summary The European Commission has proposed a regulation on health technology assessment (HTA). HTA is a research-
based tool that supports decision-making in healthcare by assessing the added value of a given health technology
compared to others. The proposal would provide the basis for permanent EU-level cooperation in four areas. Member
States would still be responsible for assessing the non-clinical (economic, ethical, social, etc.) aspects of health
technology, and for pricing and reimbursement. While Member States could choose to delay participation in the joint
work until three years after the rules enter into force, it would become mandatory after six years. The European
Parliament adopted its final position at first reading on 14 February 2019. In the Council, work was carried out under
seven consecutive presidencies. On 22 June 2021, the co-legislators reached a provisional agreement in
interinstitutional trilogue negotiations. The Council's Permanent Representatives Committee endorsed the provisional
agreement on 30 June 2021. Parliament's ENVI committee voted in favour of the text on 13 July 2021. The Council
formally adopted its first-reading position on 9 November 2021. On 30 November 2021, ENVI adopted its
recommendation for second reading, which is to be debated and voted during the December plenary session. The
regulation, once adopted, will start to apply three years after its entry into force. Fifth edition of a briefing originally
drafted by Nicole Scholz. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the
legislative procedure.
Briefing EN
Research for REGI Committee - Cross-border cooperation in healthcare
Publication type Study
Date 26-10-2021
External author prof. Fabienne Leloup
Policy area Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice | Regional Development
Keyword coronavirus disease | cross-border cooperation | economic and social cohesion | epidemic | health care | health care
system | medical centre | nursing staff
Summary This study analyses the role of Cohesion Policy as regards cross-border cooperation in healthcare, with a particular
focus on the 2014-2020 Interreg V-A programmes. It also reviews the issue of governance related to such projects and
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, it identifies possible solutions and puts forward policy recommendations
to facilitate patient and healthcare staff flows, to improve the cross-border supply of healthcare and to support cross-
border mutual development.
Study EN
European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA): Pre-legislative synthesis of
national, regional and local positions on the European Commission's initiative
Publication typeBriefing
Date15-10-2021
AuthorCOLLOVA Claudio | QUAGLIO Gianluca
Policy areaPublic Health
Keyword crisis management | cross-border cooperation | emergency aid | emergency medical treatment | EU office or agency |
health care | health care system | national competent authority | public authorities | public health | rule under
emergency powers
Summary This Briefing forms part of an EPRS series which offers a synthesis of the pre-legislative state-of-play and advance
consultation on a range of key European Commission priorities during the latter’s five-year term in office. It seeks to
summarise the state of affairs in the relevant policy field, examine how existing policy is working on the ground, and
identify best practice and ideas for the future on the part of governmental organisations at all levels of European
system of multilevel governance. This analysis of the positions of partner organisations at EU, national, regional and
local levels suggests that they would like the following main considerations to be reflected in discussion of the
legislative proposal to establish an emergency framework for a European Health Emergency Preparedness and
Response Authority (HERA): * Governmental organisations at all levels advocate a robust operational and
infrastructural framework, with a long-term vision, a coherent legal structure and efficient decision-making procedures.
They generally favour a comprehensive impact assessment in advance of the establishment of HERA. * Public
authorities at national, regional and local levels suggest that the HERA should develop a strong relationship with the
World Health Organization (WHO). Some governmental organisations especially stress the need for robust links with
developing countries. * Public authorities agree on the need for a clear interface between HERA, the European Centre
for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A further issue is the
relationship between HERA and existing EU operational crisis management mechanisms, where national authorities
recommend avoiding duplication of work. They also suggest taking into account regional and local circumstances in a
coordinated crisis response. * Many governmental organisations hold a rather positive view of the interaction between
the EU and the national levels, where HERA could have a beneficial coordinating role, although some public
authorities have expressed concern about possible conflicts of competence between national and EU levels in the
health sector.
Briefing EN
Multimedia The future of EU borders in times of pandemic
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 1Europe's Beating Cancer plan: Quick overview and initial reactions
Publication type Briefing
Date 24-03-2021
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health
Keyword cancer | disease prevention | dissemination of information | EU aid | EU financial instrument | EU initiative | EU
investment | health care | innovation | public awareness campaign | public health | therapeutics
Summary On 3 February 2021, the European Commission presented Europe's Beating Cancer plan, slightly delayed on account
of the pandemic. The plan is a key European Union (EU) public health initiative and a cornerstone of the European
health union process launched in November 2020. Responsibility for health lies primarily with the governments of the
individual EU Member States. Europe's Beating Cancer plan sets out actions to support, coordinate or supplement
Member States' efforts at every stage of the disease: from prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, to an
improved quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Cross-cutting themes include research and innovation, digital
and personalised medicine, and action to reduce cancer inequalities across the EU. A particular focus will be on
childhood cancers. The plan consists of 10 flagship initiatives and 32 supporting actions, to be rolled out over the
coming years. Implementation will be monitored by means of a roadmap and progress indicators, and the Commission
will establish an EU cancer plan implementation group. With a €4 billion budget, the plan will make use of all available
funding instruments, including the new EU4Health programme, Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe programme.
EU institutional actors and public and private stakeholders have widely commented on Europe's Beating Cancer plan.
While non-governmental organisations and industry associations broadly welcome the plan and its ambition, some
have criticised specific elements. The European Parliament's Special Committee on Cancer is working on an own-
initiative report that will be Parliament's contribution to Europe's Beating Cancer plan. Health and Food Safety
Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has stressed that Parliament and its special committee has played an important role in
shaping the plan, and will also be instrumental during its implementation.
Briefing EN
The Global HIV/AIDS epidemic
Publication type At a Glance
Date 30-11-2020
Author RUSSELL Martin
Policy area Foreign Affairs | Public Health
Keyword AIDS | disease prevention | epidemic | health care | immunology | public awareness campaign | public health |
therapeutics
Summary In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, World Aids Day on 1 December is a timely reminder of the need for
continued efforts to tackle other global health problems. Since the first cases were recorded in 1981, the disease has
claimed 33 million lives worldwide. New infections and deaths are steadily declining but there are still huge disparities
and challenges to meeting the UN target of ending the epidemic by 2030.
At a Glance EN
Europe's Beating Cancer plan - Pre-legislative synthesis of national, regional and local positions on the
European Commission proposal
Publication type Briefing
Date 26-11-2020
Author SCHOLZ Nicole | ZUMER KLEMEN
Policy area Public Health
Keyword cancer | carcinogenic substance | disease prevention | EU action | health care | public awareness campaign | public
health | quality of life | therapeutics
Summary This briefing forms part of an EPRS series offering syntheses of the pre-legislative state of play and consultation on
key European Commission priorities during the current five-year term. It summarises the state of affairs in the relevant
policy field, examines how the existing policy is working on the ground, and, where possible, identifies best practice
and ideas for the future on the part of governmental organisations at all levels of European system of multilevel
governance. EPRS analysis of the positions of partner organisations at European, national, regional and local levels
suggests that they would like the following main considerations to be reflected in discussion of the forthcoming
Europe's Beating Cancer plan: * Submissions from all four levels of governance highlight the EU's key role in
prevention, including as regards cancer-causing environmental factors and tobacco consumption. Input obtained refers
to the active role Europe's local and regional actors can play in putting prevention into practice. * European and
national levels point to predictive diagnostic tools and novel approaches in cancer medicine. Regional actors advocate
for closer cooperation between primary care and hospital care in early diagnosis. Both the regional and local levels
would like the EU to help improve screening. * Equitable access to cancer care is featured across all levels. National
input raises the issue of availability and affordability of medicines. The local level underscores the merits of ambulatory
care, and sees a role for the EU in the creation of local coordination platforms for doctors and patients. * The European
level addresses cancer after-care in the local community and cancer survivorship and rehabilitation. Both the regional
and local levels recommend fostering personalised care and follow-up for cancer patients. * European and national
input stresses the importance of EU-wide cancer research cooperation, information sharing and better deployment of
(big) data. Attention is drawn to improving information, communication, education and awareness-raising for both the
wider public and healthcare professionals, with regional input encouraging the development of new technologies to
ease doctor-patient communication. * All levels would like Europe's Beating Cancer plan to address health inequalities
in cancer. EU-level action is considered key to help reduce socioeconomic and geographical disparities, and tackle
differences in cancer prevalence and survival rates. A 'health in all policies' approach is supported.
Briefing EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 2What if we could renew all our cells?
Publication type At a Glance
Date 20-11-2020
Author QUAGLIO Gianluca
Policy area Consumer Protection | Forward Planning | Industry | Public Health | Research Policy
Keyword bio-ethics | biotechnology | cytology | drug surveillance | health care | medicinal product | public health | stem cell |
therapeutics
Summary Regenerative medicine (RM) is an interdisciplinary field that applies engineering and life science techniques to restore
tissues and organs damaged by age, disease or trauma, as well as those with congenital defects. Promising data
supports the future capability of using RM across a wide array of organ systems and contexts, including surface
wounds, cardiovascular diseases and traumas and treatments for certain types of cancer.
At a Glance EN
Multimedia What if we could renew all our cells?
Cross-border regional healthcare cooperation to combat the coronavirus pandemic
Publication type At a Glance
Date 22-06-2020
Author MARGARAS Vasileios
Policy area Coronavirus | Public Health | Regional Development
Keyword coronavirus disease | cross-border cooperation | epidemic | health care | regional cooperation
Summary The pandemic has led to a situation where the healthcare systems of European regions have been heavily over
burdened, with more patients to treat than they have capacity for. Several healthcare projects between cross-border
regions, funded by Interreg programmes, have contributed to the fight against the virus, in particular in regions of
Germany, France, Italy and Spain, some of the worst affected EU Member States.
At a Glance EN
What if we could fight coronavirus with artificial intelligence?
Publication type At a Glance
Date 10-03-2020
Author KRITIKOS Michail
Policy area Consumer Protection | Environment | EU Law: Legal System and Acts | Forward Planning | Global Governance |
Human Rights | Intellectual Property Law | International Trade | Public Health | Research Policy | Social Policy
Keyword artificial intelligence | coronavirus disease | disease prevention | epidemic | health care
Summary Αs coronavirus spreads, raising fears of a worldwide pandemic, international organisations and scientists are using
artificial intelligence to track the epidemic in real-time, effectively predict where the virus might appear next and
develop effective responses. Its multifaceted applications in the frame of this public health emergency raise questions
about the legal and ethical soundness of its implementation.
At a Glance EN
Multimedia What if we could fight coronavirus with artificial intelligence?
EU Public Health Policies: State of play, current and future challenges
Publication type Study
Date 17-09-2019
External author Nikolai PUSHKAREV, Fiona GODFREY, Sascha MARSCHANG, Zoltán, MASSAY-KOSUBEK, Yannis NATSIS, Ann
Marie BORG, Vivana GALLI
Policy area Forward Planning | Public Health
Keyword antimicrobial resistance | disease prevention | EP Committee | EU competence | EU policy | health care | public health
Summary This study provides an outlook on the topics that may shape the ENVI Committee’s public health agenda during the
new legislature. It describes key public health definitions, principles and concepts, discusses the EU’s powers to act on
health, and presents an overview of health policy developments and challenges.
This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on the Environment, Public
Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament.
Study EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 3EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Health and social security
Publication type Briefing
Date 28-06-2019
Author KISS Monika | SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Employment | Public Health | Social Policy
Keyword cross-border dimension | EU Member State | health care | health policy | labour mobility | social security legislation |
social-security benefit | social-security contribution | social-security harmonisation | statistics
Summary While responsibility for health and social security lies primarily with the governments of the individual European Union
(EU) Member States, the EU complements national policies, especially those with a cross-border dimension. In a
recent poll conducted for the European Parliament, more than two thirds of EU citizens expressed support for
increased EU action on health and social security. EU health policy aims to foster good health, protect citizens from
health threats and support dynamic health systems. It is mainly implemented through EU action programmes, currently
the third health programme (2014-2020). Challenges include tackling the health needs of an ageing population and
reducing the incidence of preventable chronic diseases. Since 2014, steps forward have been made in a number of
areas, including antimicrobial resistance, childhood obesity, health systems, medical devices and vaccination. EU
action on social security issues in the EU is closely related to the implementation of what is known as the European
Pillar of Social Rights as well as labour market developments. The EU helps to promote social cohesion, seeking to
foster equality as well as solidarity through adequate, accessible and financially sustainable social protection systems
and social inclusion policies. EU spending on social security is tied to labour market measures. Progress can be
observed on issues such as work-life balance and equal opportunities, but there is more to do. In the future, social
protection schemes will need to be further adapted to the new labour market realities (fewer manufacturing jobs,
atypical contracts, 'platform work', etc.). In its proposal for the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, the
European Commission plans to boost funding to improve workers' employment opportunities, and strengthen social
cohesion through an enlarged 'European Social Fund Plus'. The fund would also incorporate finance for the stand-
alone health programme, with the aim of creating synergies with the other building blocks of the European Pillar of
Social Rights: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; and social protection and
inclusion. This is an update of an earlier briefing issued in advance of the 2019 European elections.
Briefing DE, EN, FR
Multimedia EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Health and social security
The importance of evaluation of outcomes in healthcare and hospital experiences
Publication type Briefing
Date 14-06-2019
External author Giuseppe BANFI, Lukasz SLAWOMIRSKI
Policy area Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice | Public Health
Keyword cost-effectiveness analysis | health care
Summary The meeting on the role and importance of outcome in healthcare had the aim to propose the topic of the evaluation of
effectiveness of medical and surgical treatments as a real indicator of healthcare quality.
Briefing EN
Robots in healthcare: a solution or a problem?
Publication type In-Depth Analysis
Date 15-03-2019
External author Zrinjka DOLIC, Milieu Consulting
Rosa CASTRO, Milieu Consulting
Andrei MOARCAS, Milieu Consulting
Policy area Forward Planning | Public Health
Keyword artificial intelligence | ethics | health care | health care system | health technology | impact of information technology |
medical computing | medical data | medical device | robotics
Summary This report summarises the presentations and discussions of a workshop on the use of robots and AI in healthcare,
held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday 19 February 2019. The aim of the workshop was to provide
background information and advice for Members of the ENVI Committee on the status and prospects of applying
robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) based technologies in healthcare.
The first part of the workshop focused on the practical application of AI and robots in healthcare, while the second part
examined the ethical implications and responsibilities of AI and robotic based technologies in healthcare.
In-Depth Analysis EN
The benefit of EU action in health policy: The record to date
Publication type Study
Date 08-03-2019
Author LOMBA NIOMBO
Policy area European Added Value | Public Health
Keyword cross-border dimension | disease prevention | EU action | health care | medical device | pharmaceutical legislation
Summary European health policy measures taken to date are highly beneficial to and relevant for European citizens, economies
and the Member States. The EU does acquit its responsibility and utilises its capacity to act on behalf of EU citizens in
this policy area. The study concludes that EU health policy clearly achieves added value.
Study EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 4The productivity riddle: Supporting long-term economic growth in the EU
Publication typeBriefing
Date03-12-2018
AuthorSZCZEPANSKI Marcin
Policy areaEconomics and Monetary Issues
Keyword economic growth | economic infrastructure | EU policy | euro area | health care | long-term forecast | population ageing
| private investment | productivity | public investment | research and development
Summary Productivity has a key role to play in the EU's long-term economic growth. The recent economic recovery has reversed
the negative trend but concerns remain about long-term prospects. Productivity varies across the EU, with newer
Member States reaching only about half the level of the older ones (EU-15) when measured in terms of gross domestic
product (GDP) per hour worked, but showing a higher growth dynamic. The recent poor productivity growth in the EU
raises a number of important policy questions. First, there is no consensus on the reasons behind it or the best ways to
remedy it. There are also conflicting views regarding how long this situation will continue. Most economists believe the
current weak growth trend may be explained by a combination of cyclical and structural economic weaknesses that
need to be addressed by a mix of shorter and longer-term measures. Remedies for low productivity include increasing
labour market participation, strengthening product market competition, encouraging demand, investment and lending
to companies, as well as restructuring inefficient markets, disseminating technology and generalising digitalisation. In
the EU context, particularly important factors conducive to productivity growth include creating a genuine single market
for services, boosting digitalisation across economic sectors and addressing long-term challenges, such as the ageing
society and rising income inequalities, as well as implementing long-awaited structural reforms in the Member States.
Briefing EN
Investment in infrastructure in the EU: Gaps, challenges, and opportunities
Publication type Briefing
Date 03-10-2018
Author ZACHARIADIS IOANNIS AGAMEMNON
Policy area Economics and Monetary Issues
Keyword distribution of EU funding | economic infrastructure | education | EU Member State | EU programme | health care |
public investment | telecommunications | transport infrastructure
Summary Public infrastructure consists of the basic physical assets and structures that support economic activity. Investment in
such assets is markedly different from other types of capital expenditure, due to the heavy involvement of the public
sector and the significant positive spill-over that it generates throughout the economy. Yet the same characteristics that
underlie infrastructure investment can also result in its under-provision over time, due to factors such as fiscal
constraints. In the European Union (EU), following a period of sustained growth, investment in infrastructure has been
declining since 2009. Despite the gradual easing of this negative trend from 2015, investment rates remain below pre-
crisis levels. This has given rise to a lively debate over the emergence of an investment gap and its implications for the
EU's economic recovery and competitiveness. This is because investment in infrastructure has the potential not only to
boost aggregate demand in the short term, but also to bring important benefits over the longer term by broadening the
productive capacity of the economy as a whole. Estimates for the EU indicate that plummeting investment is below the
levels needed. European Investment Bank (EIB) estimates suggest that economic infrastructure investment needs for
energy, transport, water and sanitation, and telecoms are as much as €688 billion per year. Additional estimates for
social infrastructure suggest that the investment gap for health, education and social housing is at €142 billion per
year. The mobilisation of resources required is therefore significant. In due recognition of the emerging needs, the
current and previous multiannual financial frameworks put emphasis on the expansion of programmes and initiatives
where infrastructure plays a prominent role, both directly, as the primary targeted sector, and indirectly through broader
interventions covering a range of sectors.
Briefing EN
Fighting child poverty: the role of EU funding
Publication type
Study
Date
16-08-2018
External authorHaroldas BROZAITIS, Alina MAKAREVICIENE, Karolina LIPNICKIENE et al., PPMI
Policy area
Budget | Culture | Education | Employment | EU Law: Legal System and Acts | Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice
| Forward Planning | Social Policy
Keyword child | distribution of EU funding | EAFRD | education policy | EU Member State | EU statistics | European Regional
Development Fund | European Semester | European Social Fund | health care | poverty
Summary The study focuses on the role of EU funding in fighting multidimensional child poverty in EU Member States. It
analyses the use of EU funding (ESF, ERDF, EAFRD and FEAD) to address the problems of children at risk of poverty
and social exclusion, and in particular materially deprived children. It reveals that although investments addressing
child poverty problems are less visible in the strategic and monitoring framework of EU funds, Member States do use
the available EU funding.
Study EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 53D bio-printing for medical and enhancement purposes
Publication type In-Depth Analysis
Date 20-07-2018
Author BOUCHER Philip Nicholas
Policy area Consumer Protection | Industry | Research Policy
Keyword diffusion of innovations | health care | innovation | medical research | new technology | research and development
Summary 3D bio-printing is defined here as the use of 3D printing technology for applications related to the body, whether the
products themselves include biological material or not, and whether or not their purpose is medical. It includes any
application for rehabilitating, supporting or augmenting any kind of biological functionality. The impacts of 3D bio-
printing are uncertain, and it is not clear which actions may be required to foster responsible development of the
technology. A STOA study, 'Additive bio-manufacturing: 3D printing for medical recovery and human enhancement,
responded to these uncertainties by describing the state of the art and future development prospects of 3D bio-printing
technology, analysing their wide-ranging impacts – including social, ethical and economic aspects – and identifying key
policy challenges along with options to respond to them. Key challenges and responsive options were identified in the
approach to regulation, in managing the distribution of costs and benefits, and in the role of citizens in technology
development. This In-depth Analysis draws upon the findings of the STOA Study, summarising and reflecting upon its
key findings. The conclusions highlight key trends and offer further reflections on the study in the context of
responsible research and innovation.
In-Depth Analysis EN, IT
Annex 1 EN
Annex 2 EN, IT
Strengthening EU cooperation on health technology assessment
Publication type Briefing
Date 18-06-2018
Author VETTORAZZI STEFANO
Policy area Public Health
Keyword cross-border cooperation | exchange of information | health care | impact study | innovation | market access | medical
device | medical science | patient's rights | proposal (EU) | public health | scientific cooperation | technology
assessment
Summary The impact assessment (IA) accompanying the Commission proposal on strengthening EU cooperation on Health
Technology Assessment clearly defines the problem, as well as the general and specific objectives. However, the IA
does not appear to have succeeded in presenting a very convincing range of options. The analysis of impacts focuses
on the economic dimension, which is consistent with the manner in which the problems have been defined. In light of
the reported concentration of SMEs in the medical technologies sector (95 %), more emphasis could have been put on
analysing the impacts of the retained options on them. The stakeholders' views have been illustrated in a satisfactory
way. The evidence included or referenced in the IA is copious and up to date. The IA appears to have addressed most
of the RSB's recommendations. Finally, the legislative proposal appears to be consistent with the analysis carried out
in the IA.
Briefing EN
Digitalisation and Big Data: implications for the health sector
Publication type In-Depth Analysis
Date 15-06-2018
External author Prof. Stefania Boccia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Dr Roberta Pastorino, Università Cattolica del
Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Dr Luca Giraldi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Ms Kimberley van den
Bergen, ECORYS Netherlands B.V., Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Policy area Forward Planning | Public Health
Keyword big data | data protection | digitisation | health care | new technology
Summary This report summarises the presentations and discussions of the Workshop on “Digitalisation and Big Data:
implications for the health sector”, held on 19 June 2018 at the European Parliament. The aims of the workshop were
to analyse the implications of digitalisation and Big Data for the health sector. The workshop was hosted by Ms
Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (MEP) and Mr Alojz Peterle (MEP).
In-Depth Analysis EN
EYE event - I am Doctor Robot. What can I do for you?
Publication type At a Glance
Date 16-05-2018
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health
Keyword doctor | EP resolution | health care | Internet of Things | robotics | robotisation | technological change
Summary Robotics is moving from the realm of science fiction to palpable reality and, although they are unlikely to replace health
professionals any time soon, robots already have many uses in medicine and healthcare. The use and development of
robots come with new challenges, some ethical. The European Parliament has taken a stance and asked the
European Commission to come up with rules.
At a Glance EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 6Socioeconomic inequality in Russia
Publication type At a Glance
Date 19-04-2018
Author RUSSELL Martin
Policy area Foreign Affairs
Keyword corruption | economic growth | education policy | family benefit | health care | income | life expectancy | Russia | social
inequality | socioeconomic conditions | statistics
Summary Russia has gone from Soviet-era egalitarianism to extremes of wealth and poverty. Economic growth since 2000 has
slightly reduced the gap between rich and poor, but inequality is still higher than in most other developed countries.
The income gap is exacerbated by such factors as corruption and low taxes for the rich, but it is also mitigated by a
relatively inclusive education system.
At a Glance EN
What if manmade biological organisms could help treat cancer?
Publication type At a Glance
Date 08-09-2017
Author KRITIKOS Michail
Policy area Forward Planning | Research Policy
Keyword bio-ethics | biotechnology | diffusion of innovations | drafting of EU law | health care | innovation | invention | medical
research | scientific research
Summary Synthetic biology is expected to begin to design, construct and develop artificial (i.e. man-made) biological systems
that mimic or even go beyond naturally occurring biological systems. Applications of synthetic biology in the healthcare
domain hold great promise, but also raise a number of questions. What are the benefits and challenges of this
emerging field? What ethical and social issues arise from this engineering approach to biology?
At a Glance EN
Multimedia What if manmade biological organisms could help treat cancer?
Ten more technologies which could change our lives
Publication type In-Depth Analysis
Date 14-07-2017
Author KURRER CHRISTIAN MARTIN
Policy area Industry | Research Policy
Keyword big data | cryptography | electric vehicle | Framework Programme for Research and Development | genetic engineering
| health care | high-speed transport | intelligent transport system | radio telecommunications | renewable resources |
superconducting alloy | sustainable agriculture | sustainable mobility | trans-European network | wood for construction
Summary In 2015, the European Parliament's Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (DG EPRS) broke new
ground with its publication 'Ten technologies which could change our lives – potential impacts and policy implications',
with each chapter highlighting a particular technology, its promises and potential negative consequences, and the role
that the European Parliament could and should play in shaping these developments. This new study continues this
work, presenting ten additional technologies that will increasingly require the attention of policy-makers. The topics for
the current study have been chosen to reflect the wide range of topics that the Parliament's Science and Technology
Options Assessment (STOA) Panel has decided to focus upon for the eighth parliamentary term (2014-2019). The aim
of the publication is not only to draw attention to these ten particular technologies, but also to promote further reflection
about other technological developments that may still be at an early stage but that could, in a similar way, massively
impact our lives in the short- or longer-term future.
In-Depth Analysis ES, CS, DE, EN, FR, IT, NL, PL, PT
Multimedia Intelligent urban transport systems
Radio frequency identification tags
What if editing genes could fight rare diseases?
Maglev transportation, from Ten more technologies which could change our lives
What if your personal health tracker could save your life?
Publication type At a Glance
Date 09-06-2017
Author KURRER CHRISTIAN MARTIN
Policy area Research Policy
Keyword big data | business ethics | data collection | data protection | experiment on humans | health care | impact of
information technology | information technology applications | insurance company | medical data | medical diagnosis |
medical research | telemedicine
Summary Through advances in technology, big data has become a major asset and can open up numerous opportunities in all
areas, but how can we use this in the context of health care and ensure it benefits everyone?
At a Glance EN
Multimedia What if your personal health tracker could save your life?
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 7Tackling childhood obesity
Publication type Briefing
Date 10-03-2017
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health
Keyword cardiovascular disease | child | diabetes | disease prevention | health care | nutrition | nutritional disease | sport | World
Health Organisation
Summary Childhood obesity remains a considerable public health problem in the European Union (EU). While multiple factors
play a role, the global increase in overweight children is mainly linked to a shift in diet towards foods that are high in
fat, salt and sugar, paired with a decline in physical activity. Essentially, children today are growing up in an
environment that is conducive to weight gain and obesity. Excess weight in children is associated with a number of
serious health consequences. These include early onset of obesity-related chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular
diseases and diabetes, as well as psychosocial complications. The European Commission supports Member States'
efforts to take on childhood obesity in a number of ways, including the EU action plan on childhood obesity 2014-2020,
which is up for review this year. The current Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU has identified tackling
childhood obesity among its priorities for health, and intends to present draft Council conclusions on the issue. A
technical report on public procurement of food for health in schools, jointly drafted with the Commission, has just been
released.
Briefing EN
Empowering women in the EU and beyond: Education and reproductive health
Publication type Briefing
Date 02-03-2017
Author APAP Joanna | DIETRICH Christian
Policy area Gender Issues, Equality and Diversity | Human Rights
Keyword access to education | child | demographic analysis | gender mainstreaming | health care | position of women |
reproductive health | sexual discrimination | statistics | Unesco | woman
Summary In the EU, gender equality in education and several other policy areas is protected by law. In practice, however, full
gender equality has still not been achieved. Beyond the EU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) has found that millions of girls are still being denied an education. Therefore, the United
Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is calling for all countries to repeal
discriminatory laws that create barriers for women and girls not only in education, but also in access to healthcare,
decent jobs and equal pay. The right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is not only an integral part of the general
right to health but is also fundamentally linked to the enjoyment of many other human rights, according to UN experts.
Briefing EN
CETA and public services
Publication type In-Depth Analysis
Date 10-02-2017
Author PUCCIO Laura | SABBATI Giulio | SCHOELLMANN Wilhelm
Policy area Foreign Affairs | International Trade
Keyword Canada | carriage of goods | carriage of passengers | education policy | energy policy | environmental industry | EU
Member State | health care | international trade | postal service | protective clause | public service | social services |
statistics | trade agreement
Summary EU-Canada negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) began in May 2009 and
concluded in September 2014. Signed in October 2016, the agreement's overall aim is to increase flows of goods,
services and investment. This publication analyses the extent to which public services are protected in CETA. The
trade agreement takes the public sector into account by means of a (general) public sector carve-out and specific
reservations introduced by the EU and the Member States in the annexes to the agreement. These reservations apply
specifically to health services, education services, social services, and environmental, energy and transport services.
National reservations introduced by the EU Member States to complement EU-wide reservations vary greatly. To a
large extent this is the result of the widely varying levels of liberalisation of certain services among Member States,
leading some of them to see a greater need to protect particular sectors from foreign competition than others.
In-Depth Analysis EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 8Prison Conditions in the Member States: Selected European Standards and Best Practices
Publication type Briefing
Date 17-01-2017
Author RAFFAELLI Rosa
Policy area Adoption of Legislation by EP and Council | Area of Freedom, Security and Justice | EU Law: Legal System and Acts |
Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice | Human Rights | Private international law and judicial cooperation in civil
matters | Public international law
Keyword area of freedom, security and justice | child | Council of Europe | EU Member State | health care | imprisonment |
mental illness | prison system | public hygiene
Summary This paper provides an overview of European standards and good practices regarding prison conditions. Action by the
EU in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters is affected by detention conditions across EU Member States.
The Council of Europe has adopted numerous recommendations and standards on conditions of life in prison, and the
European Court of Human Rights has found that detention conditions may breach the prohibition against torture and ill-
treatment. The paper provides an overview of common problems affecting prisons in the EU Member States (from
overcrowding to general conditions of life in prison) and describes some of the identified best practices to solve them.
Specific attention is paid to pre-trial detention, to the use of alternative (non-custodial) measures, to measures aimed
at social reintegration and prevention of recidivism, and to the special safeguards and standards developed as regards
vulnerable prisoners (such as children, women, or mentally ill detainees).
Briefing EN, FR
European Structural and Investment Funds and People with Disabilities in the European Union
Publication type Study
Date 03-11-2016
External author Camilla PARKER and Ines BULIC COJOCARIU (European Network on Independent Living)
Policy area Area of Freedom, Security and Justice | Gender Issues, Equality and Diversity | Petitions to the European Parliament |
Regional Development | Social Policy
Keyword child care | data collection | disabled person | EU Member State | European Structural and Investment Funds | health
care | integration of the disabled | mental illness | UN convention
Summary This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional
Affairs at the request of the PETI committee, concerns the situation of people with disabilities in the European Union
(EU) and how EU funds (‘European Structural and Investment Funds’) can support the reforms needed to replace the
outdated systems of institutional care with community-based and inclusive services. It also highlights areas that must
be addressed to avoid the mistakes of the past, in particular the use of EU funds to maintain institutional care, and
ensure that instead they are used to promote community living.
Study EN
Developing health technology assessment in the European Union
Publication type Briefing
Date 20-10-2016
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health
Keyword decision-making | health care | impact study | new technology | prospective technological studies
Summary Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a research-based tool to support decision-making in healthcare. HTA
assesses the added value of new health technologies – medicines, medical devices and diagnostic tools, surgical
procedures as well as measures for disease prevention, diagnosis or treatment – over existing ones. HTA is used with
a view to improving the quality and efficiency of public health interventions and the sustainability of healthcare
systems. It has been growing in importance, given rising demand for healthcare and economic pressures. HTA in the
EU involves multiple national and regional players. European HTA cooperation consists of a strategic level (HTA
Network) and a scientific and technical level (EUnetHTA Joint Action). Efforts to advance certain aspects of voluntary
cooperation on HTA are gaining momentum. Industry and non-industry stakeholders, as well as academia, generally
agree on the benefit of stepping up EU cooperation on HTA. Members of the European Parliament have regularly
asked for enhanced EU-level cooperation. The European Commission has recently published an inception impact
assessment for an initiative on HTA, planned for the fourth quarter of 2017. It will be preceded by a public stakeholder
consultation due to be launched in autumn 2016.
Briefing EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 9Health Promotion & Primary Prevention: Exchange of Good Practices
Publication typeStudy
Date14-10-2016
External author Yoline KUIPERS CAVACO, Matteo MASCOLO and Alicia MCNEILL
Policy areaEuropean Added Value | Public Health
Keyword disease prevention | EU office or agency | Framework Programme for Research and Development | health care | small
and medium-sized enterprises
Summary This report summarises the presentations and discussions of a workshop on health promotion and primary prevention,
held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday 29 November 2016. The aim of the workshop was to provide
background and technical information and advice to the members of the ENVI Committee on the latest findings and
trends in the field of preventive health, specifically concerning health promotion and the primary prevention of diseases
and disabilities.
The state of primary prevention and health promotion in Europe was highlighted during the first part of the workshop.
Presentations focused on joining forces in the context of chronic diseases, the importance of primary care
professionals’ clusters, health promotion from citizens’ perspective, and the role schools play in prevention.
The second part of the workshop focused on examples of good practices. Various ongoing initiatives, coordinated by
the European institutions, in the EU were presented. The activities of insurance industries were also highlighted, as
well as the views of employers and trade unions on promoting healthy behaviours and creating healthy working
environments.
This workshop and the respective document were prepared by the Policy Department A at the request of the
Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Study EN
European Civil Law Rules in Robotics
Publication type Study
Date 12-10-2016
External author Nathalie NEVEJANS
Policy area Evaluation of Law and Policy in Practice | Intellectual Property Law | Private international law and judicial cooperation
in civil matters | Public international law
Keyword artificial intelligence | child | civil law | data protection | disabled person | elderly person | ethics | European charter |
health care | industrial robot | information technology | medical device | surgery
Summary The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee commissioned this study to evaluate and analyse, from a legal
and ethical perspective, a number of future European civil law rules in robotics.
Study EN, FR
Workshop on the Impact of the Economic Crisis on Access to Healthcare and Medicines
Publication type Briefing
Date 30-09-2016
Author SCHONARD Martina
Policy area Petitions to the European Parliament
Keyword economic recession | Greece | health care | health care system | health policy | health statistics | medicine | mortality |
social inequality | United Kingdom
Summary A Workshop organised by the Policy Department C was held on the impact of economic crisis on access to healthcare
and medicines. The speakers addressed issues such as budget cuts in health care, high price of medicines,
inequalities in access to various treatments as a direct result of those cuts, addressed medicines as a financial
products with their share on stock market which creates an artificial incentive to keep the high value for medicines, etc.
Better coordinated procurement for medicines, as practiced by the Benelux countries, was given as an example.
Further recommendations on how to improve access to healthcare were suggested by the experts and by the
representative of the Commission.
Briefing EN
Focus on digital health events
Publication type At a Glance
Date 01-06-2016
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health | Research Policy
Keyword disease prevention | e-Health | health care | impact of information technology | information technology applications |
Internet | medical device | medical research | research project | therapeutics
Summary Digital health is high on the European and international agenda in June 2016, notably during eHealth Week from 8 to
10 June in Amsterdam, at the eHealth360°Summit from 14 to 16 June in Budapest and at the Digital Health World
Congress on 22 and 23 June in London.
At a Glance EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 10Chernobyl 30 years on: Environmental and health effects
Publication type Briefing
Date 22-04-2016
Author BOURGUIGNON Didier | SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Environment | Public Health
Keyword accidental pollution | consumer protection | environmental impact | environmental risk prevention | food contamination |
health care | nuclear accident | radiation exposure | radioactive effluent | radioactive pollution | Ukraine | World Health
Organisation
Summary In the early hours of 26 April 1986, an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the explosions it triggered
caused a major release of nuclear radioactive material into the atmosphere. Radionuclides were scattered in the
vicinity of the plant and over much of Europe. The Chernobyl fallout had a major impact on both agricultural and
natural ecosystems in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, as well as in many other European countries. Radionuclides were
taken up by plants and later by animals. In some areas, they were subsequently found in milk, meat, forest food
products, freshwater fish and wood. Environmental impacts vary according to location and ecosystem. Forests and
fresh water bodies have been among the most affected ecosystems. The impacts on wildlife in the vicinity of the
Chernobyl plant are disputed. The impacts on human health have been extensively studied, although experts are not
unanimous in their views. Official assessments by United Nations agencies have been challenged. The major
population groups exposed were clean-up workers, evacuees and residents of contaminated areas of Belarus, Russia
and Ukraine. There has been no clear evidence of any measurable increase in radiation-induced adverse health
effects in other European countries. The immediate and short-term effects resulting from heavy fallout exposure
include radiation sickness and cataracts. Late effects are thyroid cancer, especially in children and adolescents, and
leukaemia among exposed workers. The accident has also had important psychosocial effects.
Briefing EN
Need for action on dementia recalled
Publication type Briefing
Date 12-02-2016
Author SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area Public Health
Keyword disease of the nervous system | disease prevention | EU programme | health care | medical research | mental illness |
patient's rights | research project
Summary Dementia is one of Europe's biggest challenges in the context of demographic change. It has wide-ranging social and
economic consequences for those living with the condition, their families and carers, and society as a whole. The
Council's conclusions of December 2015 acknowledge the importance of this challenge. Dementia is not one specific
disease, but an overall term for a syndrome that affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation,
learning capacity, language and judgement. There are many different causes and forms of dementia. The condition
remains little understood, and there is currently no cure. Action to tackle dementia is centred on its prevention, early
detection and timely diagnosis, and on improving the quality of life of those living with it through care and support.
Research focuses on the causes and possible treatments, on better care and prevention, as well as on developing
assistive technologies. The European Commission has published a communication on dementia, undertaken various
activities and funded research. A European Parliament resolution from 2011 called for dementia to be made a health
priority. Major global dementia initiatives include a G8 declaration, the creation of the World Dementia Council, and the
first Ministerial Conference on 'Global Action Against Dementia', hosted by the World Health Organization. Civil society
is also actively involved.
Briefing EN
Kyrgyzstan: Social situation
Publication type At a Glance
Date 02-02-2016
Author KOCAK Konur Alp
Policy area Foreign Affairs
Keyword distribution of income | education policy | environmental protection | ethnic conflict | ethnic group | health care |
Kyrgyzstan | labour market | Russia | social situation | Uzbekistan
Summary Kyrgyzstan is the second most impoverished country in Central Asia, after Tajikistan. The country has made progress
in many social areas, especially the health sector, with outstanding results in reducing child mortality and under-
nourishment. However, the poorly performing education sector requires further attention and resources. Inter-ethnic
tensions between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks threaten the already fragile political, economic and social stability of the country.
At a Glance EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 11Safer Healthcare in Europe: Improving Patient Safety and Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance
Publication type Study
Date 13-07-2015
External author Piernicola PEDICIN (MEP, European Parliament), Maria IGLESIA (European Commission), Dominique MONNET
(European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - ECDC), Cristina PADEANU (European Patients’ Forum - EPF),
Andrea SORICELLI (University Parthenope of Naples ; Institute of Diagnostic and Nuclear Development - SDN
Foundation), Marta HUGAS (European Food Safety Agency - EFSA), Antoine ANDREMONT (Hôpital Bichat Claude-
Bernard, AP-HP) and Janice SCOTT (Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust)
Policy area Public Health
Keyword antibiotic | disease prevention | generic drug | health care | health risk | infectious disease | medical device | medical
diagnosis | medical research | patient's rights | right to health
Summary This report summarises the presentations and discussions at the Workshop on ‘Safer healthcare in Europe: improving
patient safety and fighting antimicrobial resistance’, held at the European Parliament in Brussels, on Tuesday 24
February 2015. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the main challenges and future perspectives related to the
topic of patient safety and the threat of antimicrobial resistance in Europe. The workshop was hosted by MEP
Piernicola PEDICINI, ENVI Committee Rapporteur for the Parliament’s own initiative report on this topic.
Study EN
Assistive technologies to support people with disabilities
Publication type
Briefing
Date
19-06-2015
Author
SCHOLZ Nicole
Policy area
Public Health
Keyword facilities for the disabled | Framework Programme for Research and Development | health care | medical research |
mentally disabled | physically disabled | research project
Summary 'Disability' is complex and multi-dimensional. It denotes impairments, limitations on activity and restrictions on
participation – a combination of medical and contextual factors. People with disabilities are a diverse group. Some are
born with a disabling condition, others acquire a disability through injury or a chronic disease, yet others develop a
disability in older age.
The health needs of disabled people vary depending on the type of limitation and the primary health condition. Some
may result in high healthcare needs, while others do not. On the whole, however, people with disabilities have a poorer
health status than the general population. Several factors contribute to these health disparities.
The way disability is addressed has shifted from a purely medical approach to one that focuses on maximum
functioning and well-being. Assistive technologies to support people with disabilities have also evolved. They now
cover sophisticated ICT, software, cyber-physical and stem-cell applications. A range of examples are provided from
the five broad categories of motor, vision, hearing, cognitive and communication disabilities. They include non-invasive
and invasive brain-computer interfaces, wearable devices, stem-cell applications, neuroprosthetics, humanoid robots
and applications (apps).
The EU has funded several research projects on the development of assistive technologies under its research and
innovation framework programmes.
Briefing DE, EN, FR
Sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Publication type At a Glance
Date 19-11-2014
Author LATEK Marta
Policy area Development and Humanitarian Aid | Gender Issues, Equality and Diversity | Human Rights
Keyword armed forces | child protection | Democratic Republic of the Congo | EDF | health care | impunity | judicial reform |
position of women | public safety | sexual discrimination | sexual violence | victim | women's rights
Summary For more than two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in particular its eastern regions, has faced
a chronic and complex humanitarian crisis. Fuelled by ethnic resentment, impunity due to state fragility, and the profits
from robbery and illegal exploitation of natural resources, armed groups proliferate, committing human-rights abuses of
extreme severity. The award of the Sakharov Prize to Dr Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynaecologist and women's
rights activist, has again drawn international attention to the desperate plight of women who, according to Dr Mukwege,
have become a 'battlefield' in this chronic and thus sometimes forgotten crisis.
At a Glance EN
16-06-2022 Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP 12You can also read
