About EuroHealthNet

EuroHealthNet is a not-for-profit network of regional and national agencies responsible and accountable for health promotion, public health and disease prevention in Europe.

Our aim is:

...to help improve the health and health equity within and between EU states

We do that by supporting projects and policy development together with our members and the EU institutions; by exchanging information and by communication in and beyond our network.

Nowadays, EuroHealthNet counts 35 member or partner agencies in 27 European countries, thereby constituting a valuable platform for information, advice, policy and advocacy on health and equity issues at EU level.

Background

EuroHealthNet has been established since 1996, originally as the European Network for Health Promotion Agencies (ENHPA), to network for health promotion in the EU following the establishment of public health as an EU competence in the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. Initial work was carried out with support from the EU Health Promotion Programme.

When the Programme was merged into the first EU Public Health Action Programme by 2003, EuroHealthNet (as it had become) became fully autonomous with a membership and partnership structure, a Brussels office and a legal Statute.

What does EuroHealthNet do?

EuroHealthNet aims to improve the health of European citizens by striving for a healthier Europe with greater health equity between and within countries.

In particular, EuroHealthNet works to:

Monitor relevant policy developments at EU level and in member countries
Disseminate, share and transfer information and expertise
Coordinate projects between members and with the European Commission
Maintain an effective dialogue with EU institutions and other international organisations

Many of our outputs are featured on this website, on the specific project websites and other media to encourage public interest and raise awareness about the EU dimensions of heath-related policies among policy makers and professionals.

What does EuroHealthNet not do?

Health is such a broad policy area that one organisation cannot do everything.

EuroHealthNet takes an interest in health care systems and development but does not directly work on detailed policy in that field, except to contribute where relevant.

EuroHealthNet is not a representative association for health professionals.

EuroHealthNet does not only work within the European Union Public Health Programme, but on a broad range of relevant programmes and legislation.

EuroHealthNet does not lobby directly. Our function is to provide information for policy makers, to raise awareness and support effective policy development.