Creating Europe-wide health policies: A case study

Although responsibilities for health remain primarily national, the determinants of health and the means to fulfill that responsibility are increasingly global.” (Jamison/Frenk and Knaul 1998)

Many of the issues which tax nations at the local level have direct parallels within broader transnational trends. Whilst policy which addresses this can be put in place at the local level, for example national smoke-free legislation, a greater impact may be achieved by ensuring that policies are consistent across health economies.

Using practical examples, this presentation will share the learning from policy development for England within the broader European context.

It will provide an insight into the way in which European policy development can both influence, and be influenced by national policy directions. It will also suggest that effective policy development for some areas requires a proactive approach to partnership development which transcends national boundaries.