Brussels, 20/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - Reducing inequalities in public health in the European Union is a major challenge and must be a political priority, pointed out the EuroHealthNet organisation during the annual public health conference in Europe on Wednesday 19 October. The network indicated that, “health inequalities are not biological determined, but ultimately derive from the actions of individuals, companies and governments”. Health inequalities are avoidable and action beyond the health sector is needed”. During this event, it also indicated that statistics demonstrated that people from poor backgrounds were ill more often and their life expectancy was lower than average.
During the EuroHealthNet conference, a number of recommendations were made that were developed during the “DRIVERS for health equity” initiative. According to Professor Johannes Siegrist from the DRIVERS project, “national budgets should strengthen sustainable employment and safe working conditions, particularly among disadvantaged people”. EuroHealthNet believes that they should have a more strategic approach to the resources provided through structural funds and European investment funds, in an effort to fund projects that seek to promote equality in health care in Europe. The DRIVERS project will be presented in more detail during an event organised by the European Parliament on 3 February 2015. (IL)