19/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - Research funding must above all support public health, says EuroHealthNet. In response to the European Commission's consultation on a common strategic framework for EU research and innovation funding, the EuroHealthNet, which defends the interests of associations active in public health and disease prevention, highlights the fact that the funding allocated to research and innovation is public money and should be used to benefit EU society as a whole, as stipulated in Article 168 of the European Treaty, before being used to foster economic growth and stimulate market demand. “Health must be included in all policies. That makes strategic, economic, social and moral sense. We look forward to the EC proposing fair, transparent and accountable public research programmes designed to contribute to exactly those commitments”, said EuroHealthNet Director Clive Needle. (I.L./transl.jl)