Annual Report 2008
Summary
EMHF had 4 main objectives for 2008:
- Raise awareness among senior level stakeholders
- Increase visibility in European policy debates
- Boost membership coverage and integration
- Build capacity (staff, skills, funding)
EMHF has been working harder than ever on behalf of its members to deliver on these objectives:
EMHF has given men’s health in Europe a public and policy profile never achieved before through high level representation at external events, the development of strong partnerships and alliances around key policy issues and through collaborative projects.
The Vienna Declaration continues to progress while new initiatives such as the International Policy Review, Value+, and EMHF’s contribution to the EU global health report herald the beginning of EMHF proactive involvement in EU policy debates.
EMHF invested in internal communications with members, strengthened our network and increased membership benefits.
Several new member organisations have joined us, extending our presence to Sweden and the Netherlands.
Download the report in full as PDF
Annual Report 2007
Summary
2007 has without a doubt been the most significant in the European Men’s Health Forum’s history.
The first-ever EU men’s health conference in Lisbon confirmed the issue of men’s health successful ascent up the EU agenda. The event arose out of the Forum’s Vienna Declaration, a statement of intent on men’s health launched in 2006 which was still attracting signatures from key players on – and off - the European public health stage as 2007 drew to an end. At the time of writing, 28 MEPs have signed plus dozens of EU and Government officials, health professionals and academics. Even Europe’s governing body for football, UEFA volunteered its support along with numerous health NGOs at European and national level.
At the European Health Forum meeting in Gastein, Austria, the Forum highlighted the central concern of men’s health campaigners – premature male death - in a dramatic and graphic way by putting man ‘on trial’. ‘Judge’ John Bowis MEP found man ‘not guilty’ of endangering his own health (though with a warning as to future behaviour) – a clear indication that it is also down to health policy makers to address the problem. In 2007, this message appeared to be getting through. From pharmaceuticals to the new EU’s health strategy, the Forum has started to demonstrate what a positive contribution an approach that is sensitive men’s health could make to EU policy issues
The European Patients’ Forum-led Value+ project - Promoting Patients’ Involvement in EU-supported Health-related Projects – in which the EMHF is an associate partner, will ensure that the views of men and male patients now have a direct route into EU health initiatives.
Alongside other successful EU funding bids this signifies a growth in both volume and diversity in the Forum’s funding sources which should see it in good stead for the future in further developing and maintaining an independent voice for men’s health in Europe.
The increasing number of EMHF-run projects, of external representation and coalition building is giving EMHF unprecedented visibility with major European stakeholders not least EU institutions and WHO Europe. We look forward to 2008 with justified optimism.
Annual Report 2006
Summary
2006 was marked by some clear successes that have raised the profile and understanding of men’s health to the highest level it has ever reached at a European level.
The Declaration received the endorsements of 2 EU Commissioners. National Health Ministries, MPs and MEPs also adopted the principles for improving men’s health across Europe, and the list of supporters now spans most European countries. Despite limited secretariat resources, the forum was able to respond to key Commission consultations ensuring men’s health issue were raised at the highest European policy level.
The profile of men’s health and of EMHF was certainly raised by a significant notch in 2006. A record number of international and national events were attended, including EMHF-organised workshop activities during the European Health Forum Gastein and the IUHPE-Europe conference in Budapest.
EMHF’s membership base remained remarkably stable despite some attrition at the beginning of 2006 following the introduction of a membership fee. The network grew in strength and cross border collaboration has increased, as reflected during its network meeting in November 2006.
Operating conditions have been rather difficult in a climate were core funding remained limited and secretariat resources were reduced. However, 2006 achievements demonstrated that there is a strong logic for building the forum’s capacity. EMHF embarked on a reflection process that lead to the development of its business plan for 2007-2010. Adopted in early 2007, the plan opens up a new range of possibilities for innovative projects and partnerships.
Annual Report 2005
Summary
The EMHF network of men’s health organisations across Europe was created at the beginning of 2005. By the end of the year, the number of its members had already increased. In October, they adopted the Vienna Declaration on men’s health in Europe during the first EMHF conference.
These major achievements towards raising awareness, and building the capacity of men’s health advocacy, are set to put men’s health decisively on the public health agenda in Europe.
Such developments allowed EMHF to increase its involvement in EU policy debates, including discussions with the UK and Austrian presidencies and a meeting with the EU Commissioner for health and consumer protection.
EMHF also pursued its awareness raising objectives through other channels such as active participation at a number of international health events, publishing the final results of its HIV quality of life survey.
Despite a difficult financial situation, the implementation of drastic restructuring measures and the dedication and enthusiasm of its staff, ensured that such vital projects could be carried out. EMHF is particularly grateful to its partners for the trust they put in our mission, and for their continuous support without which none of this could have been achieved.
Annual Report 2004
Summary
2004 was a corner-stone in the development of the Forum with the development of a networking project which lead to the formal establishment of a coalition of organisations active in the field of men’s health across Europe in January 2005.
It was also a year of ever greater involvement in EU affairs. The European Union expanded its membership to 25, and each Member State was preparing to elect a new European Parliament. It was an opportune moment for EMHF to raise the profile of men’s health and gender with the new candidates.
Illustrating the vitality of this broader partnership, EMHF and the European Institute for Women’s Health organised a roundtable event in Brussels to raise awareness about the limitations to the role of gender in EU health policy.
EMHF was able to contribute its expertise in gender and health issues to the objectives of fight against HIV-related stigma. It prepared and successfully launched its first pan-European survey mid-year.
Despite an overall difficult financial climate and the implementation of drastic restructuring measures, this flurry of activities was made possible thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of all EMHF team members.
