Spotlight on the EU’s health union
Health care has always been a matter of primary concern for citizens, but the pandemic we’ve faced in recent months has made it the most pressing topic of the year. And while most of the competence in the area of health has traditionally rested with Member States, more and more voices are calling for there to be more Europe in this domain. One of the great lessons of COVID-19 is that no single country can beat this, or a similar crisis in the future, alone.
On 11 November, the European Commission presented a set of proposals, as the first steps towards an EU health union. These include a stronger EU health security framework and stronger and more operational EU agencies. Another key component is the pharmaceutical strategy for Europe. This aims to ensure that patients have access to innovative and affordable medicines, and to support the competitiveness, innovative capacity and sustainability of the EU's pharmaceutical industry. More initiatives will come, as the Commission is committed to continue building the health union in the coming months, with a ‘Beating cancer’ plan and the European Health Data Space.
The December edition of our newsletter features publications related to this and other interesting topics. And, as it is the last edition of the year, all of us at the Publications Office of the European Union would like to take the opportunity to wish you happy holidays and a happy 2021!
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Coronavirus impact and response
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This factsheet presents lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how these lessons translate into concrete proposals towards an EU health union. |
Available in all the official languages of the EU |
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The role of EU agencies |
The Commission’s proposals for stronger and more operational EU agencies as a way to respond effectively to future health crises are outlined in this factsheet. |
Available in all the official languages of the EU |
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This factsheet presents data about the pharmaceutical sector of the EU, current sector problems that the Commission wishes to address and the ways to achieve it. |
Available in all the official languages of the EU
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How and where can I travel while staying healthy? The Re-open EU app provides information on the various national restrictions in place, including quarantine and testing requirements for travellers, and on mobile contact tracing and warning apps across Europe. It also provides an overview of the health situation in different countries, based on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The information is updated frequently in 24 languages, helping you to plan your travel and remain safe.
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Final report, replies to the public consultation |
The European Commission held a public consultation on the EU’s pharmaceutical strategy from 16 June to 15 September 2020. Interested parties and stakeholders were able to comment and share their views and the Commission took their replies into consideration in developing the strategy. This report presents a neutral review and analysis of these replies. |
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Concepts, action, state of play: in-depth analysis |
Tackling socially determined inequalities in health, both between and within EU Member States, is still a major challenge. This analysis describes the main concepts and gives examples of health inequalities across the EU. It then presents an overview of the work accomplished at international and EU levels. It shows, in particular, how the EU institutions, bodies and agencies have contributed to reducing health inequalities, although Member States have the main responsibility for health policy. The report concludes by looking at ways for further action. |
Available in English, French and German |
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Achieving relevance, mobilising solidarity and preparing for the future |
In March 2020, the European University Institute gathered 18 reputed social scientists, public health experts and policymakers in a virtual workshop to discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the European Union. This policy brief documents the participants’ contributions to the workshop, starting with an exchange on the health crisis as it unfolded, moving onto a broader analysis of the situation from various policy and disciplinary perspectives and ending with a discussion of operative recommendations. |
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How to rescue transatlantic relations |
The transatlantic partnership is in crisis. Structural factors, toxic political rhetoric and malign foreign influence are in danger of pushing the two sides of the Atlantic even further apart. A sustained effort to rescue the relationship is needed, but how can the transatlantic partners reaffirm the strength and endurance of their strategic bond? And where to begin? This book offers an overarching view of the major factors, trends and areas that are likely to shape transatlantic relations. |
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Overview of antisemitic incidents recorded in the European Union 2009-2019 |
Anti-semitic incidents and hate crimes violate fundamental rights, especially the right to human dignity, the right to equality of treatment and the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This report provides an overview of data on antisemitism as recorded by international organisations and by official and unofficial sources in the European Union Member States, North Macedonia, Serbia and the United Kingdom. |
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This study examines trends in the situation of single parents in the EU, Iceland and Norway. It analyses the resources, employment and social policies for single parents, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Finally it provides recommendations to improve their situation. |
Available in English |
Research and innovation |
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Every month, the Research*eu magazine brings you the results of EU-funded research and innovation. This month’s special feature presents seven EU-funded projects that have been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS research in Europe. Many of the world’s leading immunologists and epidemiologists who are currently working on COVID-19 cut their teeth during the HIV/AIDS epidemics of the 1980s and 1990s and are thus applying the lessons learnt during those difficult times to the current global health crisis. |
Available in English
(Individual article also available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish on the CORDIS website)
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An intersectional assessment of the role of gender and migrant status |
This report focuses on the intersection between gender and migrant status and assesses the likelihood of EU mobile and non-EU born women participating in the labour market. It also considers how education, marital status and parenthood interact with gender and migrant status. Overall, the report finds that the conditions for women’s participation in the labour market have improved in recent years. However, gender gaps still remain, especially for women coming from a migrant background. |
Available in English
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Introduction to the Normandy index 2020 |
The Normandy Index, now in its second year, aims to measure the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world. This paper sets out the findings of the 2020 evaluation and explains how the index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 40 individual country case studies, derived from the index. |
Available in English and French |
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Primary and general secondary education: 2020/21 |
This report, based on national data, gives an overview of the length of the school year, the start and end dates, the timing and length of school holidays and the number of school days. It covers both primary and general secondary education and its key points are illustrated by comparative figures. The information is provided for the 38 countries participating in the EU's Erasmus+ programme (27 Member States, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom). The reference year is 2020/2021. |
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Cooking with great European products |
Europe has an immensely rich and diverse culinary heritage thanks to traditions passed down from generation to generation and an unprecedented geographical diversity. European products that are awarded a quality label feature unique characteristics, are typical for the region in which they are produced and, most of all, are of excellent quality. In this book, renowned European chefs suggest how unique products with geographical indications from their country can be incorporated into different dishes. |
Available in all the official languages of the EU except Irish |
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Join Endorse: the EU Data Conference on Reference Data and Semantics
Knowledge sharing is the driving force of digital transformation and a challenge. The Endorse conference aims to provide a platform to discuss and shape the future of data management in public services by bringing together international experts in the fields of digitalisation, semantics, reference data and knowledge management. Join us to have your voice heard and be part of an active and forward-looking community! The event will take place online in four half-day sessions from 16 to 19 March 2021.
Registrations are already open. Book your place soon!
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