WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1252/98 by Odile LEPERRE-VERRIER to the Commission. Health of young people
Date: 1998-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, LEPERRE-VERRIER
Subjects: World Health Organisation, action programme, educational system, health policy, public health, young person

C 354/84

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19. 11. 98

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 June 1998)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as
soon as possible.

(98/C 354/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1252/98

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Health of young people

As many studies now indicate that young people in Europe are not looking after themselves properly, what action
will  the  Commission  be  taking  to  develop  health  services  for  young  people  (health  services  at  school  and
university, preventive medicine, etc.)?

Are there not grounds for launching a specific public health programme?

Does the Commission envisage specific measures in this area?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 1998)

The Commission is well aware that investing in the health of young people is a cornerstone of European public
health policies.

This perception is reflected in the European public health action programmes, be it in the fields of cancer, aids,
drugs, or health promotion, where youth is among the main target groups. Many projects are supported by these
programmes,  for  example  the  European  network  of  health  promoting  schools,  a  joint  initiative  of  the
Commission,  the  Council  of  Europe  and  the  World  health  organisation  (WHO)  Europe.  This  network  now
comprises 38 countries in Europe, and involves over one million pupils. The health promoting school aims to
achieve healthy lifestyles for the whole school population by developing supportive environments conductive to
the  promotion  of  health.  It  offers  opportunities  for  the  provision  of  a  safe  and  health-enhancing  social  and
physical environment.

Through active collaboration between pupils, staff, parents and community the health promoting school offers a
number  of  benefits,  including  the  promotion  of  pupils(cid:146)  self  esteem  enabling  them  to  fulfil  their  physical,
psychological and social potential.

Some countries have successfully disseminated the concept throughout the school system. Others still have to
face  the  challenges  of  implementation  with  the  blessing  of  decision-makers  in  educational  and  political
structures.

The Commission is also working on a report on the state of health of young people in the Community, which will
be published in due course.

(98/C 354/136)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254/98

by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Twinning arrangements with towns in the CEECs

What  progress  has  been  made  with  the  twinning  arrangements  between  the  European  Union  and  certain
municipalities in the countries of central and eastern Europe?

Can the Commission give details of the activities that have taken place under the twinning programmes and the
countries most involved?