Brussels, 03/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - As part of the consultation process following publication by the European Commission of the Green Paper on research and innovation in February 2011, the member organisations of the STEPS (Strengthening Engagement in Public Health Research) have drawn the attention of European leaders to the need to increase the public health budget. In 2011, the EU allocated only 4% of funding to public health related research, with virtually all the rest going to biomedical research. STEPS members argue that targeted measures aimed at the whole population have greater impact in improving overall health than medicines developed in laboratories. Noting that innovation and research are at the heart of the EU2020 growth objectives, STEPS says “it is time to innovate in health and to spend the EU health budget differently: to create an EU health policy based on scientific facts to promote, protect and improve European citizens' health”. In February, the Commission presented its proposals for reorganising research funding in the EU to encourage innovation, increase its economic impact, facilitate the lives of researchers and make more efficient use of taxpayers' money. A public consultation exercise on these proposals will run until 20 May. The Commission will bring forward detailed proposals in the course of this year. (I.L./transl.rt)