What we are reading...

Alcohol control The Superior Health Council in Belgium proposes health warnings in marketing for alcoholic drinks, increasing the minimum age and introducing a minimum unit price to reduce harms linked to alcohol consumption.

Alcohol control The Dutch Institute of Alcohol Studies predicts that most alcohol targets set out in the Dutch National Prevention Agreement will not be reached by 2040, particularly in view of the absent regulatory action due to industry interference.

Child health Austria revised its child and adolescent health strategy, embedding health promotion measures from an early age and building on the 'Health in All Policies' principle.

Child poverty No European country is free from child poverty - A report by Save the Children provides insights into national social protection systems and the European Child Guarantee.

Equality AGE Platform and other equality networks call for a comprehensive equality framework against discrimination in the EU ahead of the next legislative mandate.

Food security A draft of the EU’s Strategic Agenda, which sets out priorities for the 2024-2029 legislature, indicates that food security may be integrated as part of the agricultural policy - Euractiv

Food systems The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization called for a paradigm shift towards a circular food system, which minimises waste while maximising resource use across the entire food value chain.

Health inequalities Current trends in England predict that inequalities in health will persist until 2040. Progress will require long-term governmental and economic efforts to address underlying causes, such as poor housing, low income and insecure employment – The Health Foundation

Health policy Prompted by European Parliament calls for a stronger EU role in public health, the European Parliament Research Service identified various opportunities to strengthen the EU’s role, including supporting health workforce training and professional recognition.

Homelessness While there has been progress in tackling homelessness in an inclusive way, more can be done, including by encouraging meaningful participation of people with lived experiences, underpinned by a human rights-based approach – European Commission

Intersectoral action A study by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies explores the co-benefits of intersectoral action achieved by a ‘Health for All Policies’ framework.

Long-term care European civil society organisations called for a European Long-Term Care Platform under the next EU mandate, building on Principle 18 of the European Pillar of Social Rights on the right to long-term care.

Minimum wage A policy brief by the European Trade Union Institute finds that the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages already shows an impact on national minimum wage-setting in one-third of the Member States.

Physical activity A study carried out in a Swedish primary school shows potential in integrating physical activity in the theoretical teaching of different subjects to reach the recommended level of exercise among school-aged children – BMC Public Health

Public health WHO and IANPHI published a technical guide to facilitate country implementation of essential public health functions, which are fundamental for an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable approach to public health.

Quality education The European Commission advocates for increased investments for inclusive and quality education for all to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4.

School meals WHO/Europe published a policy brief on expanding the national school meal programme in Ukraine as a way to not only improve children’s wellbeing and educational outcomes but also the country’s economy.

Sustainability A report by Eurydice explores whole-school approaches to sustainability, examining the extent to which ‘learning for sustainability’ is part of school activities and the support given to teachers and school leaders to facilitate this integration.

Tobacco control Spain’s new anti-smoking plan includes measures around packaging, increased tobacco taxation and expanding the number of smoke-free public spaces – Euractiv

Wellbeing Wise Horizons published a theoretical framework of how narratives influence public policy, exploring how a new narrative can re-direct public policy away from economic growth towards sustainable and inclusive wellbeing.

Working conditions While flexible working conditions have increased in most EU countries, such arrangements are not accessible to all workers. Continued and broadened regulatory support is needed to facilitate this accessibility - Eurofound

Health Highlights