Division 3.3.2 Reduction of health inequalities between EU regions (Annex — Point 2.1.2)

As indicated in the Health Strategy, the potential for regional policy to contribute to the health sector and help improve the population's health should be maximised. This includes ensuring that structural funds are used effectively to improve population health. In particular, support under the Operational programmes of the structural funds should be used to address health infrastructure capacity building deficits. In 2008, the Health Programme will be a key instrument to facilitate exchange of good practice and experiences between and within Member States.

Priority actions are to:

• Create a cooperation mechanism between regions and local bodies for the effective use of structural funds for health and promote the exchange of good practices. Key actions should include an inventory of existing information and expertise, assessing potential synergies between the existing networks and key stakeholders and creating an umbrella organisation to coordinate actions. [Financing mechanism: Call for proposals]

• Participating in the ‘Regions for economic change initiative’, led by DG-REGIO, and in particular the fast-track networks. [Financing mechanism: Call for tender]

• Extending the results of the Euregio^f1 project financed by the 2003 Work Plan of the Public Health Programme (2003-2008) to cover the Convergence and the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objectives of the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund, with the aim of identifying the best actions that could be disseminated to the regions. [Financing mechanism: Call for proposals]