Division 1.1 Policy and legal context

Decision 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council established a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) (hereinafter referred to as the Programme Decision). The programme is implemented through an annual work plan setting out the priorities and actions to be undertaken, including the allocation of resources.

The first four years of programme implementation have laid the foundations for a comprehensive and coherent approach, concentrating on three priorities (strands): health information, health threats, and health determinants. Together, these strands contribute to a high level of physical and mental health and well-being throughout the EU. In particular, 267 projects have already been selected for financing^f1 from the previous calls for proposals.

In May 2006, the Commission adopted an amended proposal^f2 for a new health programme which is expected to be approved in 2007. As a consequence, 2007 should be the last year of implementation of the ‘Programme Decision’.

An analysis of the implementation of the work plans for 2003-2006 has led to activities being streamlined in 2007 to ensure coverage of areas which have not been dealt with previously and hence to attempt to complete as much as possible of the current programme.

In 2007, the Executive Agency for the Public Health Programme will be fully operational and will be a key actor in the work plan’s implementation.