Brussels, 16/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Alcohol and nutrition will take central place in the talks among European healthcare ministers on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 April in Riga. Over lunch, the ministers will also discuss the European Union's health policy guidelines under the Juncker Commission and the new European Parliament.
Alcohol. Alcohol is a serious risk factor for developing certain diseases and causes a fair number of deaths. Despite various initiatives introduced at European and national level, alcohol abuse remains a high level healthcare problem in the EU, particularly in countries in the East. The ministers will discuss new initiatives that need to be introduced and the strengthening of existing action particularly renewal of the European alcohol strategy.
Nutrition. Obesity and people being overweight are on the rise in EU member states and have become one of the most widespread non-transmissible diseases. This trend is accentuated by changing lifestyles and richer diets in Europe. The ministers will address the question by discussing existing measures introduced as part of the EU policy for food and nutrition. They will look at the excessive levels of trans fats and sugar added to certain foodstuffs, the potential side effects of food additives and significant differences in member states' practices when it comes to application of the recommended measures.
Healthcare policy. Over lunch on Monday 20 April, the ministers will discuss the European Union's healthcare policy in the light of the new Commission and EP. Future initiatives should be based on the needs of inhabitants of the European Union as a whole and also on the specific needs noted in each member state, explains the Latvian Presidency. Diseases cross borders easily and common solutions therefore need to be found, adds the Presidency, noting that the focus should be on prevention and the promotion of health. (Isabelle Lamberty)