WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1024/99 by Christine ODDY Commission Communication of the development of public health policy and women's health
Date: 1999-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, ODDY
Subjects: disease prevention, health policy, medical research, population ageing, position of women, public health, quality of life, woman

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/147

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

The Commission can confirm that the Community textiles industry considers that clearance formalities by the
United States customs present various problems including requiring detailed information particularly on
product composition.

Despite these difficulties the United States remains the Community’s largest export market with exports of
€ 4 430 million in 1998 (12.6 % of the Community’s total exports of textiles and clothing).

The Commission will use its on-going contacts with the United States’ authorities to raise these issues with a
view to seeking improvements failing which the Commission will consider whether it is opportune to make
formal complaint to the World trade organisation (WTO) in respect of potential breaches of the general
agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT).

(1999/C 348/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1024/99

by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Commission Communication of the development of public health policy and women’s health

Will the European Commission ensure that in drafting future public health policy documents women’s health
issues are highlighted beyond usual women’s health issues to include research and support for programmes to
combat diseases to which women are particularly prone such as osteoporosis and arthritis?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

The Commission gives particular attention to women’s health. Within the current public health programme, a
number of particular issues related to women’s health are addressed. In 1997, the Commission published a
specific report on the state of women’s health in the Community (1). Issues related to women’s health will
receive full attention in future public health policy development.

As for research supported by the Community’s successive research and development framework programmes,
although no specific emphasis or priority has been given to projects concerning women’s health, many
projects have dealt with women’s health and diseases. In the new fifth framework programme (1998-2002),
the key action concerning ‘The ageing population and disabilities’ of the specific programme ‘Quality of life
and management of living resources’ will devote a significant part of its resources to women’s issues. Indeed,
women form the majority of the aged population (58 % of population over 60 and 69 % of that over 80 in the
Community), and various diseases particularly affect women in their old age. Osteoporosis and degenerative
joint diseases (like arthritis) are explicitly mentioned as priorities in the 1999 call for research proposals.

(1) COM(97) 224 final.

(1999/C 348/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1025/99

by Rinaldo Bontempi (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 1999)

Subject: Closure of frontiers to block a peaceful demonstration

On the night of 27 March 1999, a large number of young people (around 2 000), attempting to travel to Paris