This is my first editorial in the Newsletter since I was
appointed Director-General of the Health and Consumers Directorate. I would
like to begin by extending a special welcome to all our readers.
One of my priorities is to protect and improve the health of
people living in the EU. But I am also very concerned by health issues outside
the EU. Why? Promoting EU values and the EU model implies that we have a
fundamental role in helping improve the health of all people, wherever they
live. More pragmatically, many health risks – climate change, pandemic
influenza or tobacco to name a few – can only be effectively managed through
global action.
The Commission has launched a new global health initiative to contribute to
worldwide improvements in health, reduce health inequalities and protect
against global health threats. It will be led by the Health and Consumers
Directorate and Development and Research Directorate. The initiative's key
steps can be found in the
Commission policy paper on the EU's role in global health adopted in March
2010.
We will be forging stronger partnerships with non-EU countries and
international organizations, using funding for development cooperation and
research, and examining how other EU policies such as trade can help contribute
to health-related goals.
On 10-11 June 2010 in Brussels, the Commission will organise a
conference on global health. We will also be carrying out a series of exchanges
with countries outside the EU.
In June, European Commissioner John Dalli responsible for Health and Consumer
Policy and representatives of my Directorate General will visit China to meet
with Chinese officials and attend events linked to the World Expo in Shanghai.
The theme of the Expo is "better city, better life". By our presence,
hopefully we can "better health"!
