Brussels, 06/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 10 February, the 4th European Epilepsy Day will be celebrated and will focus on the theme of “Epilepsy is more than Seizures”. At the launch of the event on 4 February in Strasbourg, Health Commissioner Tonio Borg examined the action taken so far at a European level to treat epilepsy and to manage the difficulties that this disease can bring in the social and professional lives of sufferers. Borg stated that “many suffer from stigmatisation and discrimination. It is common for people with epilepsy to feel that they have to hide their disease, which often results in withdrawal from social life and depression”. European Epilepsy Day is an initiative by local authorities, together with epilepsy sufferers' organisations, health professionals and all those involved or prepared to take action to raise awareness about the problems created by epilepsy and to develop more acceptance surrounding this illness. The goal is to mobilise the public at large throughout Europe, as well as families, patients and health professionals around important themes affecting the daily lives of people affected by this illness.
One of the European Commission's priorities is the treatment of chronic illnesses, such as epilepsy, in its policy on health. Although the action to be taken falls within the remit of member states, the European Union supports national initiatives. On 3-4 April next, the EU will hold a conference in Brussels on the theme of chronic illnesses. The aim of this conference is to establish a list of recommendations that can help reduce the impact of these illnesses on the economy and the social life of those suffering from them. This initiative complements the joint action on chronic illnesses launched last month by the Commission, which sought to establish good practice in the prevention and management of these illnesses. Given the impact of epilepsy on the professional and social lives of sufferers, such as exclusion and discrimination, the EU will be organising a conference on 18 March, “Health in Europe, making it fairer”. This will seek to tackle health-related discrimination more effectively. Under the 7th Research Framework Programme, the Commission devoted €100 million for the 2006-2013 period to support medical research into epilepsy, including €45 million in 2013 alone. The new Horizon 2020 programme provides other opportunities for pursuing scientific research into epilepsy, which the Commission will be encouraging, promised Borg. (IL/transl.fl)