The EMHF has responded to the discussion document on the new Health Strategy that the EU aims to adopt in the summer.
The response concludes: 'the EMHF is committed to working closely with the Commission so the interest and health needs of European men and boys can be specifically reflected in the future EU strategy.
The response 'calls on the Commission to ensure that health remains a primary concern for the EU and for its Member States, not least on the basis that good health effectively contributes to economic and social growth. EMHF calls on all Directorates of the Commission to increase their contribution towards better health for all, effectively integrating this EU responsibility across all policy areas.'
With 2007 being named European Year for Equal Opportunities, the Forum has called on the EU to promote the fact all men should also have an equal opportunity to attain the highest possible level of health and well-being. 'Current policies have already showed they didn’t necessarily fit all,' said EMHF director Erick Savoye. 'Specific attention needs to be given to individual population groups, such as men, in order to reach the highest possible health status for all.'
Specifically, the EMHF recommends that the Commission:
Strengthens the promotion of healthy lifestyles through increased health literacy.
Provides guidance for national gender-based healthcare provision.
Supports the development of research about the impact of gender on health behaviours.
Includes explicit considerations for gender impact in all its legislative work.
Ensure that the impact of gender on health be appropriately taken account of in public health and in other fields of EU policy.
Monitors and assesses the participation of Member States in developing and implementing gender sensitive health policies.
- Clarify the method that will be used to measure the impact of the health strategy.
The EMHF was invited to contribute and incorporated members views into its response. The full response is available in the Resources area.
