White paper - Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013 {SEC(2007) 1374} {SEC(2007) 1375} {SEC(2007) 1376}
Date: 2007-10-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU policy, public health

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 23.10.2007 
COM(2007) 630 final 

WHITE PAPER 

Together for Health: 
A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2007) 1374} 
{SEC(2007) 1375} 
{SEC(2007) 1376} 

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WHITE PAPER 

Together for Health: 
A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013 

1. 

WHY A NEW HEALTH STRATEGY? 

Health is central in people's lives and needs to be supported by effective policies and actions 
in Member States, at EC1 level and at global level.  

Member States have the main responsibility for health policy and provision of healthcare to 
European citizens. The EC's role is not to mirror or duplicate their work. However, there are 
areas  where  Member  States  cannot  act  alone  effectively  and  where  cooperative  action  at 
Community level is indispensable. These include major health threats and issues with a cross-
border or international impact, such as pandemics and bioterrorism, as well as those relating 
to free movement of goods, services and people. 

To carry out this role, cross-sectoral work is required. Article 152 of the EC Treaty says that a 
"high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation 
of all Community policies and activities". This Strategy reinforces the importance of health in 
policies  such  as  the  Lisbon  Strategy  for  Growth  and  Jobs,  emphasising  the  links  between 
health  and  economic  prosperity,  and  the  Citizens'  Agenda,  recognising  people's  right  to  be 
empowered in relation to their health and healthcare. Actions in the Strategy represent work 
on  health  across  all  sectors.  Health  is  found  in  Treaty  articles  on  the  Internal  Market, 
Environment,  Consumer  Protection,  Social  Affairs  including  the  Safety  and  Health  of 
Workers, Development Policy, and Research, amongst many others2. 

The EC's important role in health policy has been reaffirmed in the Reform Treaty which was 
agreed  by  EU  Heads  of  State  and  Government  in  Lisbon  on  19  October  2007,  and  which 
proposes  to  reinforce  the  political  importance  of  health.  A  new  overall  aim  on  supporting 
citizens' wellbeing is expected, as well as an encouragement of cooperation amongst Member 
States  on  health  and  health  services.  Work  on  health  at  Community  level  adds  value  to 
Member  States'  actions,  particularly  in  the  area  of  prevention  of  illness,  including  work  on 
food  safety  and  nutrition,  the  safety  of  medical  products,  tackling  smoking,  legislation  on 
blood,  tissues  and  cells,  and  organs,  water  and  air  quality,  and  the  launch  of  a  number  of 
health-related  agencies.  However,  there  are  several  growing  challenges  to  the  health  of  the 
population which require a new strategic approach. 

–  Firstly,  demographic  changes  including  population  ageing  are  changing  disease  patterns 
and putting pressure on the sustainability of EU health systems. Supporting healthy ageing 
means  both  promoting  health  throughout  the  lifespan,  aiming  to  prevent  health  problems 
and  disabilities  from  an  early  age,  and  tackling  inequities  in  health  linked  to  social, 
economic and environmental factors. These issues link closely to the Commission's overall 
strategic objective of Solidarity. 

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European Community. 
See Annex 6 of the Staff Working Document for Treaty references. 

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–  Secondly,  pandemics,  major  physical  and  biological  incidents  and  bioterrorism  pose 
potential  major threats  to  health.  Climate  change  is  causing  new  communicable  disease 
patterns.  It  is  a  core  part  of  the  Community's  role  in  health  to  coordinate  and  respond 
rapidly to health threats globally and to enhance the EC's and third countries' capacities to 
do so. This relates to the Commission's overall strategic objective of Security.  

–  Thirdly, recent years have seen a great evolution in healthcare systems in part as a result of 
the rapid development of new technologies which are revolutionising the way we promote 
health and predict, prevent and treat illness. These include information and communication 
technologies (ICT), innovation in genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology. This links 
to  the  Commission's  overall  strategic  objective  of  Prosperity,  ensuring  a  competitive  and 
sustainable future for Europe. 

In developing a new health strategy, broad consultations were held3. These show a consensus 
among stakeholders about how the Community should carry out its role in health. They want 
to see health concerns integrated into all EC policies; to see work to reduce health inequities; 
to  play  a  strong  role  in  global  health;  and  to  put  a  focus  on  health  promotion  and  on 
improving  health  information.  They  stress  the  need  for  the  EC,  Member  States  and 
stakeholders to work together to achieve real results. 

Tackling these challenges and responding to these calls requires a long-term approach. This 
White  Paper  aims  to  set  out  a  coherent  framework  -  a  first  EC  Health  Strategy  -  to  give 
direction  to  Community  activities  in  health.  It  proposes  four  core  principles  underpinning 
three strategic objectives as a focus of attention for the coming years. The Strategy also sets 
out implementation mechanisms for cooperation between partners, reinforcing Health in All 
Policies,  and  increasing  visibility  and  understanding  about  health  at  Community  level.  This 
White  Paper  sets  out  a  Strategy  until  2013,  when  a  review  will  take  place  to  support  the 
definition of further actions towards the objectives. 

The White Paper is accompanied by a Staff Working Document. 

2. 

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR EC ACTION ON HEALTH 

PRINCIPLE 1: A STRATEGY BASED ON SHARED HEALTH VALUES 

Health policy, both internal and external, should be founded on clear values. The Commission 
has  been  working  with  Member  States  to  define  a  value-based  approach  to  healthcare 
systems. In June 2006 the Council adopted a statement on common values and principles in 
EU healthcare systems, listing the overarching values of universality, access to good quality 
care,  equity  and  solidarity4.  A  new  statement  on  common  values  for  health  policy  in  the 

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In 2004, the Commission held an open consultation asking what future health action the EU should take 
(Reflection process on EU health policy: 
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_overview/strategy/reflection_process_en.htm) A second consultation was 
conducted in 2007 on operational aspects and priorities of a future strategy 
(http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_overview/strategy/results_consultation_en.htm). 
Council Conclusions on Common Values and Principles in European Union Health Systems (2006/C 
146/01). 

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broader  sense  will  build  on  this.  The  Council  has  also  invited  the  Commission  to  take  into 
account and integrate the gender dimension5 which the Strategy will take forward. 

The  Charter  of  Fundamental  Rights  recognises  citizens'  right  of  access  to  preventive 
healthcare and the right to benefit from medical treatment6. Several international declarations 
recognise fundamental rights relating to health7
. 

A  core  value  is  Citizens'  Empowerment.  Healthcare  is  becoming  increasingly  patient-
centred  and  individualised,  with  the  patient  becoming  an  active  subject  rather  than  a  mere 
object of healthcare. Building on the work on the Citizen's Agenda, Community health policy 
must  take  citizens'  and  patients'  rights  as  a  key  starting  point.  This  includes  participation  in 
and  influence  on  decision-making,  as  well  as  competences  needed  for  wellbeing,  including 
'health  literacy'8,  in  line  with  the  European  Framework  of  Key  Competences  for  lifelong 
learning9 e.g. looking at school and web-based programmes. 

Values  relating  to  improving  health  must  include  reducing  inequities  in  health.  Although 
many Europeans enjoy a longer and healthier life than previous generations, major inequities 
in  health10  exist  between  and  within  Member  States  and  regions,  as  well  as  globally.  For 
instance,  although  the  overall  EU  population  is  ageing,  life  expectancy  at  birth  for  women 
varies by 9 years between EU countries and for men by 13 years, and infant mortality rates 
vary six-fold11. The Commission will propose actions aimed at reducing inequities including 
targeted health promotion and best practice exchange. 

Finally, health policy must be based on the best scientific evidence derived from sound data 
and information, and relevant research. The Commission is in a unique position to assemble 
comparable  data  from  the  Member  States  and  regions  and  must  answer  calls  for  better 
information  and  more  transparent  policymaking,  including  through  a  system  of  indicators 
covering all levels (national and subnational). 

Actions 

Adoption of a Statement on fundamental health values (Commission, Member States) 

System of European Community Health Indicators with common mechanisms for collection 
of comparable health data at all levels, including a Communication on an exchange of health-
related information (Commission) 

Further work on how to reduce inequities in health (Commission) 

Promotion of health literacy programmes for different age groups (Commission) 

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Council Conclusions on Women's Health (2006/C 146/02) . 
Article 35 on Healthcare (OJ C 364, 18.12.2000). 
Including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights the UN International Covenant on Economic, 
Social and Cultural Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights in Biomedicine. 
The ability to read, filter and understand health information in order to form sound judgements. 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_394/l_39420061230en00100018.pdf 
Defined as inequalities in health that are avoidable and unfair. 
Eurostat (Ed.) (2007): Europe in figures - Eurostat yearbook 2006-07. 

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PRINCIPLE 2: "HEALTH IS THE GREATEST WEALTH"12 

Health is important for the wellbeing of individuals and society, but a healthy population is 
also  a  prerequisite  for  economic  productivity  and  prosperity.  In  2005,  Healthy  Life  Years 
(HLY)  was  included  as  a  Lisbon  Structural  Indicator,  to  underline  that  the  population's  life 
expectancy in good health – not just length of life – was a key factor for economic growth. 

The Commission report to the 2006 Spring European Council urged Member States to reduce 
the high number of people inactive through ill-health13. It stressed that policy in many sectors 
has a role in improving health for the benefit of the wider economy. 

Spending on health is not just a cost, it is an investment. Health expenditure can be seen as an 
economic burden14, but the real cost to society are the direct and indirect costs linked to ill-
health as well as a lack of sufficient investment in relevant health areas. It has been estimated 
that the annual economic burden of coronary heart disease can amount to 1% of GDP15, and 
the costs of mental disorders to 3-4% of GDP16. Healthcare spending should be accompanied 
by  investment in prevention,  protecting and improving the population's overall physical and 
mental  health,  which,  according  to  OECD17  data  currently  amounts  to  an  average  of  3%  of 
their Member States' total annual budgets for health compared to 97% spent on healthcare and 
treatment18. 

The EU health sector is a major provider of employment and training: the health and social 
care sector has been a key driver of the expansion of the services sector since 2000 (up to 2.3 
million  jobs)19.  The  growing  health  sector  is  also  a  major  source  and  user  of  innovative 
technologies, and supports regional policy and social and economic cohesion. 

The understanding of economic factors relating to health and illness and the economic impact 
of  health  improvement  both  in  the  EU  and  globally  must  be  enhanced  including  through 
developing  information  and  analysis  in  the  Commission  as  well  as  working  closely  with 
partners  such  as  countries  like  the  US  or  Japan  as  well  as  international  bodies  such  as  the 
OECD and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.  

Actions 

Development  of  a  programme  of  analytical  studies  of  the  economic  relationships  between 
health  status,  health  investment  and  economic  growth  and  development  (Commission, 
Member States) 

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Virgil (70-19 BC). 
Annex to COM(2006) 30 of 25.1.2006. 
Snapshots: Health Care Spending in the United States and OECD Countries January 2007 
http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm 
M. Suhrcke, M. McKee, R. Sauto Arce, S. Tsolova, J. Mortensen The contribution of health to the 
economy in the EU, Brussels 2005. 
Gabriel, P. & Liimatainen, M.-R. (2000). Mental Health in the Workplace. International Labour 
Organisation: Geneva. 
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 
OECD Health Data 2006, Statistics and Indicators for 30 Countries. CDROM, Paris 2006. 
Employment in Europe 2006 Report, European Commission. 

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PRINCIPLE 3: HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HIAP) 

The population's health is not an issue for health policy alone. Other Community policies play 
a  key  role,  for  example  regional  and  environment  policy,  tobacco  taxation,  regulating 
pharmaceuticals  and  food  products,  animal  health,  health  research  and  innovation, 
coordinating social security schemes, health in development policy, health and safety at work, 
ICT,  and  radiation  protection,  as  well  as  coordination  of  agencies  and  services  regulating 
imports. Developing synergies with these and other sectors is crucial for a strong Community 
health  policy,  and  many  sectors  will  be  cooperating  to  fulfil  the  aims  and  actions  of  this 
Strategy.  

HIAP  is  also  about  involving  new  partners  in  health  policy.  The  Commission  will  develop 
partnerships to promote goals of the Strategy, including with NGOs, industry, academia and 
the media. 

This HIAP approach must also be used in external policies including development, external 
relations, and trade. Globalisation means that both health problems and solutions reach across 
borders,  and  these  often  have  cross-sectoral  causes  and  implications.  Examples  include  the 
coordinated approach to combat HIV/AIDS in the EU and Neighbourhood countries20, and the 
EU  Strategy  for  Action  on  the  Crisis  in  Human  Resources  for  Health  in  Developing 
Countries21. 

Actions 

Strengthening  integration  of  health  concerns  into  all  policies  at  Community,  Member  State 
and regional levels, including use of Impact Assessment and evaluation  tools (Commission, 
Member States) 

PRINCIPLE 4: STRENGTHENING THE EU'S VOICE IN GLOBAL HEALTH 

The  EC  and  its  Member  States  can  create  better  health  outcomes  for  EU  citizens  and  for 
others through sustained collective leadership in global health22.  

In our globalised world it is hard to separate national or EU-wide actions from global policy, 
as global health issues have an impact on internal Community health policy and vice versa. 
The EC can contribute to global health by sharing its values, experience and expertise, as well 
as by taking concrete steps to improve health. Work can support efforts to ensure coherence 
between its internal and external health policies in attaining global health goals23, to consider 
health as an important element in the fight against poverty through health-related aspects of 
external development cooperation with low income countries, to respond to health threats in 
third countries, and to encourage implementation of  international  health agreements such as 

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COM(2005) 654. 
COM(2005) 642. 
This follows from the Article 152 calling for cooperation with third countries and international 
organisations in public health and from the Commission's strategic objective of Europe as a World 
Partner (Annual Policy Strategy for 2008 - COM(2007) 65). It is expected that the new Reform Treaty 
will also include a new objective of the EU to, in its relations with the wider world, uphold and promote 
the Union's values and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. 
E.g.  Millennium  Development  Goals,  European  Consensus  on  Development  Cooperation  and  2005 
Paris Declaration. 

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the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 
and International Health Regulations (IHR).  

The  EU's  contribution  to  global  health  requires  interaction  of  policy  areas  such  as  health, 
development  cooperation,  external  action,  research  and  trade.  Strengthened  coordination  on 
health  issues  with  international  organisations,  such  as  WHO  and  other  relevant  United 
Nations  agencies,  World  Bank,  International  Labour  Organization,  OECD  and  Council  of 
Europe, as well as other strategic partners and countries, will also enhance the EU's voice in 
global  health  and  increase  its  influence  and  visibility  to  match  its  economic  and  political 
weight. 

Actions 

Enhance the Community’s status in international organisations and strengthen cooperation on 
health with strategic partners and countries (Commission) 

In line with the priorities agreed with third countries and with the policy dialogue and sectoral 
approaches  developed  for  external  assistance,  ensure  an  adequate  inclusion  of  health  in  the 
EU's external assistance and promote the implementation of international health agreements, 
in particular FCTC and IHR (Commission) 

3. 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 

Health policy at Community level should foster good health, protect citizens from threats, and 
support  sustainability.  In  order  to  meet  the  major  challenges  facing  health  in  the  EU,  this 
strategy  identifies  three  objectives  as  key  areas  for  the  coming  years.  The  Commission  will 
work  with  Member  States  to  develop  more  specific  operational  objectives  within  these 
strategic objectives.  

OBJECTIVE 1: FOSTERING GOOD HEALTH IN AN AGEING EUROPE 

Population  ageing,  resulting  from  low  birth  rates  and  increasing  longevity,  is  now  well-
established. By 2050 the number of people in the EU aged 65+ will grow by 70%. The 80+ 
age group will grow by 170%24.  

These  changes  are  likely  to  raise  demand  for  healthcare  while  also  decreasing  the  working 
population. This could push up healthcare spending by 1 to 2% of GDP in Member States by 
2050.  On  average  this  would  amount  to  about  a  25%  increase  in  healthcare  spending  as  a 
share of GDP. However, Commission projections show that if people can remain healthy as 
they live longer, the rise in healthcare spending due to ageing would be halved25.  

Healthy  ageing  must  be  supported  by  actions  to  promote  health  and  prevent  disease 
throughout  the  lifespan  by  tackling  key  issues  including  poor  nutrition,  physical  activity, 

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Eurostat population projections published on the International Day of Older Persons 29 September 
2006. 
The impact of ageing on public expenditure: projections for the EU25 Member States on pensions, 
health care, long term care, education and unemployment transfers (2004-2050), Economic Policy 
Committee and European Commission (DG ECFIN) 2006, European Economy, Special Report no. 
1/2006. 

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alcohol, drugs and tobacco consumption, environmental risks, traffic accidents, and accidents 
in  the  home.  Improving  the  health  of  children,  adults  of  working  age  and  older  people  will 
help create a healthy, productive population and support healthy ageing now and in the future. 
Similarly,  healthy  ageing  is  supported  by  taking  action  to  promote  healthy  lifestyles  and 
reduce  harmful  behaviours,  and  to  prevent  and  treat  specific  diseases,  including  genetic 
disorders. The development of geriatric medicine needs to be actively promoted, with a focus 
on individualised care. Palliative care and better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases 
such as Alzheimer's are also important needs to address. There is also scope for further work 
on blood, tissues, cells and organs including transplant issues.  

More  research  is  needed  to  support  these  measures,  including  longitudinal  studies;  as  is 
greater  capacity  in  public  health,  for  example  by  strengthening  training  and  public  health 
structures. Given the growing pressure on public finances resulting from demographic change 
and other challenges, ensuring that actions taken are efficient and effective is paramount.  

Actions 

Measures to promote the health of older people and the workforce and actions on children's 
and young people's health (Commission) 

Development and delivery of actions on tobacco, nutrition, alcohol, mental health and other 
broader  environmental  and  socioeconomic  factors  affecting  health  (Commission,  Member 
States) 

New Guidelines on Cancer screening and a Communication on European Action in the Field 
of Rare Diseases (Commission) 

Follow up of the Communication on organ donation and transplantation26 (Commission) 

OBJECTIVE 2: PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM HEALTH THREATS 

Protection  of  human  health  is  an  obligation  under  Article  152  EC.  Improving  safety  and 
security and protecting citizens against health threats have therefore always been at the heart 
of Community health policy, while at the same time the EU has a responsibility regarding the 
health of citizens in third countries. 

Community-level  work  includes  scientific  risk  assessment,  preparedness  and  response  to 
epidemics  and  bioterrorism,  strategies  to  tackle  risks  from  specific  diseases  and  conditions, 
action  on  accidents  and  injuries,  improving  workers'  safety,  and  actions  on  food  safety  and 
consumer protection. 

The Commission will continue this work, but will also focus on challenges that have not yet 
been  fully  addressed.  Globally,  increased  trade  and  travel  have  brought  new  risks  by 
facilitating  the  spread  of  communicable  diseases.  Combating  pandemics  or  biological 
incidents and addressing the threat of bioterrorism requires Community-level cooperation and 
coordination  between  Member  States  and  international  actors.  Action  is  also  needed  on 
emerging health threats such as those linked to climate change, to address its potential impact 

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on public health and healthcare systems. Patient safety is a further key area of concern. 10% 
of patients admitted to hospital in the UK experience adverse effects from their healthcare27, 
and this problem may well be of a similar scale in other EU countries. A new focus is needed 
to tackle health threats within and outside the EU.  

Actions 

Strengthen  mechanisms  for  surveillance  and  response  to  health  threats,  including  review  of 
the remit of the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (Commission) 

Health aspects on adaptation to climate change (Commission)  

OBJECTIVE 3: SUPPORTING DYNAMIC HEALTH SYSTEMS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES 

EU  Health  systems  are  under  mounting  pressure  to  respond  the  challenges  of  population 
ageing,  citizens'  rising  expectations,  migration,  and  mobility  of  patients  and  health 
professionals. 

New  technologies  have  the  potential  to  revolutionise  healthcare  and  health  systems  and  to 
contribute to their future sustainability. E-health, genomics and biotechnologies28 can improve 
prevention  of  illness,  delivery  of  treatment,  and  support  a  shift  from  hospital  care  to 
prevention and primary care. E-Health can help to provide better citizen-centred care as well 
as  lowering  costs  and  supporting  interoperability  across  national  boundaries,  facilitating 
patient  mobility  and  safety29.  Nevertheless,  new  technologies  must  be  evaluated  properly, 
including  for  cost-effectiveness  and  equity,  and  health  professionals'  training  and  capacity 
implications  must  be  considered.  New  and  unfamiliar  technologies  can  generate  ethical 
concerns, and issues of citizen's trust and confidence must be addressed.  

To boost investment in health systems, health has been integrated into instruments aimed at 
enhancing  EU  growth,  employment  and  innovation  including  the  Lisbon  strategy,  the  7th 
Framework Programme for Research including the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative 
Medicines,  the  Competitiveness  and  Innovation  Programme  and  Regional  Policy.  However, 
further action is needed, e.g. in relation to the capacities of regions, which are key actors in 
delivering healthcare.  

A  clear  Community  framework  will  also  help  to  support  dynamic  and  sustainable  health 
systems by providing clarity regarding application of EC law to health services and support 
Member States in areas where coordinated action can bring added value to health systems.  

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This translates to ca. 850 000 adverse effects a year. Source: UK Department of Health Expert Group. 
An  organisation  with  a  memory:  report  of  an  expert  group  on  learning  from  adverse  events  in  NHS. 
Chairman: Chief Medical Officer London: The Stationery Office, 2000. 
See Communication from the Commission on the mid term review of the Strategy on Life Sciences and 
Biotechnology - COM(2007) 175. 
See COM(2004) 356 relating to an action plan for a European e-Health area. 

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Actions 

Community framework for safe, high quality and efficient health services (Commission) 

Support Member States and Regions in managing innovation in health systems (Commission) 

Support  implementation  and  interoperability  of  e-health  solutions  in  health  systems 
(Commission) 

4. 

TOGETHER FOR HEALTH: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY 

4.1. 

Implementation mechanisms 

This strategy aims to deliver concrete results in improving health. As set out in the Treaty, the 
EC has a unique role to improve and protect health and in addition to facilitate cooperation on 
health. 

Given Member States' responsibilities in health at national, regional and local levels, and the 
need  to  respect  subsidiarity,  they  must  be  closely  involved  in  the  implementation  of  the 
Strategy. To that end, the Commission will put forward a new EC-level structured cooperation 
mechanism  to  advise  the  Commission  and  to  promote  coordination  between  the  Member 
States.  This  will  include  a  new  structure  with  Member  States  replacing  some  existing 
committees. This cooperation mechanism will assist the Commission in identifying priorities, 
defining indicators, producing guidelines and recommendations, fostering exchange  of good 
practice,  and  measuring  progress.  It  will  also  provide  opportunities  for  local  and  regional 
involvement.  The  Commission  will  work  across  sectors  and  ensure  consistency  with  other 
bodies  that  deal  with  health-related  issues  such  as  the  Administrative  Commission  and  the 
Social Protection Committee. 

Value can be added to Member States' action through fostering cooperation with stakeholders 
at  Community  level.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  develop  partnerships  with  them, 
building  on  the  experience  of  bodies  such  as  the  Health  Forum,  the  European  Alcohol  and 
Health Forum, and the Platform on diet, physical activity and health.  

Action 

The  Commission  will  put  forward  a  Structured  Cooperation  implementation  mechanism 
(Commission) 

4.2. 

Financial instruments 

The actions in this Strategy will be supported by existing financial instruments until the end of 
the  current  financial  framework  (2013),  without  additional  budgetary  consequences.  The 
annual workplans of the newly adopted Second Programme of Community Action in the Field 
of Health30 will be a key instrument to support the Strategy's objectives. 

30 

This programme replaces the current Public Health Programme (2003–2008), and has three broad aims: 
improving citizens' health security, promoting health for prosperity and solidarity, and generating and 
disseminating health knowledge. 

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Actions under other Community programmes and strategies, such as the Safety and Health at 
Work Strategy 2007-2012, will also play a major role. 

Several  other  Community  programmes  also  provide  funding  relevant  to  health,  e.g.  the  7th 
Framework Programme on Research and Regional Policy programmes31. 

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For a more comprehensive list see Annex 3 to the Staff Working Document. 

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