“Positioning Health at the Centre of the post 2013 Cohesion Policy” Anders Olauson EPF President

Cohesion Policy is one of the most tangible EU policies  As such this policy is the appropriate tool to operationalise, implement and test the “Health in all Policies” approach at all levels (EU, national and regional). But the key issue is how. The Contribution of Cohesion Policy to Health

Cohesion Policy has huge potentials in terms of: improving citizens and patients’ quality of life overcoming health inequalities between countries and regions convergence as regards access to healthcare services and quality of services But are we really maximising health gains from Cohesion Policy? The Contribution of Cohesion Policy to Health

There are three different ways in which Health can be addressed through Structural Funds:  Direct  Indirect  Non-health sector investments with potential added value in terms of Health There are various examples of applying all three approaches but there are also weaknesses and challenges Food for thought in preparation for the next programming period The Contribution of Cohesion Policy to Health

Lack of strategic approach to health in Structural Funds:  When strategies exists the problem is to translate this into practice Structural Funds are not seen as suitable mechanisms for health Need for evidence-based and integrated strategic investments Lack of experience and capacity on the part of the health sector about Structural Funds processes Health tends not to be regarded as a relevant factor in Structural Funds The “one size fits all” approach does not work; Need to learn how to make and present an economic case The key world is FLEXIBILITY What we have learned from using Structural Funds for Health?

On the basis of these considerations the workshop yesterday identified that: we need more complementarity between ERDF and ESF, example eHealth get the balance right between investing in health prevention and patient-centered disease management Operationalise health in all policies  setting up a specific operational programme for Health but also  integrating health considerations in all other sectoral operational programmes (health mainstreaming) The way ahead

How can we ensure that a “Health in all Policies” approach is effectively taken into consideration in the next programming period: We have the answer: Health strategies and priorities should be driven by the people who are actually using healthcare services Failure to do so may result in a significant mismatch between real users’ needs and the ability of the healthcare system to recognise such needs and respond in an efficient and meaningful way Ensuring that “Health in all Policies” is effectively taken on board INVOLVE AND GET INVOLVED

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