Division 3.2.1.1 Develop prevention and control of existing or emerging Communicable diseases (Annex — points 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.2.3)

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Disease prevention is closely linked to professional knowledge and the readiness of people to participate in prevention programmes on communicable diseases. Prevention relies on different strategies as demonstrated by evidence based literature^f1: communication campaigns, vaccination programmes and training of professionals. It takes into account the particularities of populations which are hard to reach (regardless of residential status), vulnerable populations such as migrant populations, minority/marginalised groups and at risk populations (e.g. addictive/sexual behaviour).

• Prevention activities, including communication campaigns on specific diseases (tuberculosis, hepatitis, seasonal influenza, H1N1) and on vaccination issues aimed at the general public and professionals. The aim is to increase general and professional knowledge about the main issues related to the prevention of communicable diseases, including those which are vaccine preventable and identification of best practices on managing and control of these issues at Member State level, such as the improvement of services and improved allocation of resources. This should help in the adoption of relevant prevention responses and thereby contribute to a better implementation of national plans on tuberculosis, hepatitis and immunisation. The evaluation of these activities will contribute to improving prevention approaches aimed at, in particular, hard-to-reach populations and minority/marginalised groups.

  [Call for proposals for projects]

• Training on specific diseases (tuberculosis, hepatitis, seasonal influenza, H1N1) and issues related to vaccination for primary health workers and for ‘non health workers’, such as people working in educational and social fields. The aim is to increase their capacity to take into account the specificities of the hard-to-reach, vulnerable and at risk populations and minority/marginalised groups with regard to communicable diseases and issues related to vaccination, and thereby contribute to a better implementation of national plans on tuberculosis, hepatitis and immunisation. The validated training tools and methods developed under the activity will be disseminated and adapted to national contexts.

  [Call for proposals for projects]