Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-03-07-Speech-1-218-000"
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"en.20110307.24.1-218-000"2
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"Mr President, the Commission is grateful to Parliament for its support for our action to bridge health inequalities and for its recommendations on this important issue. I would like also to thank, in particular, the rapporteur, Ms Estrela, for her commitment to this cause.
Disparities in health between countries, between regions, between rich and poor, between different ethnic minorities, affect each and every EU Member State and, in many places, they are getting wider. I would like to be sincere on this issue. We are now beginning to see the full effects of the economic crisis on people’s health and on the health services. We are now beginning to see the effects of unemployment and of deficits, so there is a risk that such inequalities will grow worse. Reducing health inequalities is important both for our citizens’ wellbeing and for Europe’s economic recovery. It is a major challenge which, as Parliament’s report points out, requires action across policy areas and levels of government.
Your report gives important pointers for the future. You underline the need to improve access to promotion, preventive care and effective healthcare services. You further emphasise the need to pay particular attention to vulnerable groups and to use new technologies, such as telemedicine, in a way that reduces disparities in healthcare. The Commission fully shares your concern.
You also highlight gender inequality as an important element contributing to social health inequalities. I personally agree fully with you on this.
The Commission is vigorously taking forward its programme of action to help reduce health inequalities, as set out in the Communication on solidarity in health, by working across policies and in partnership with Member States and stakeholders.
To make such partnerships operational, Member States are now beginning a joint action on health inequalities, funded through the EU health programme. This action includes work on health inequality impact assessment, regional and scientific networks and stakeholder initiatives.
Action across policies starts with our work on public health, for example, on tobacco control and nutrition and through action on active and healthy ageing. But our strategy also includes commitments in areas such as employment and social policy, agriculture, research and regional policy.
Clearly, more action is needed. Equally clearly, this will not happen overnight. It will take years to fully succeed, but together we can – and indeed we must – make a lasting and tangible difference so that all Europeans have a chance of living in good health."@en1
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