Health advice gets a boost
The EU's public health and healthcare policies are being shaped by the European Science Advisory Network for Health (EuSANH), the network of National Science Advisory Bodies (SABs) active in the field of health. The EU-funded project 'Improving science advice for health in Europe, EuSANH' (EuSANH-ISA) worked on upgrading science-based advice and recommendations for better health across Europe. The project outlined best practices for the EuSANH and its member countries, developing better collaboration and preparing for a European report on the topic. The project team interviewed policymakers and science advisors on the best ways to produce sound science-based health advice, touching on transparency, independence, conflict of interest and systematisation of knowledge. It articulated a standard framework to produce, review and disseminate science advisory reports on health to ensure quality and credibility of recommendations. Through the EuSANH e-communication system, the project team enabled its members to communicate their policy recommendations to stakeholders. Together, the organisation's members tackled important subjects such as population-based cancer screening programmes and childhood leukaemia, conducting workshops and publishing results related to their research. Other topics for EuSANH included vaccination, mental health, violence against children and HIV prevention, all of which the EuSANH partners investigated jointly to create health-promoting policies and recommendations. The project is expected to participate in the EU initiative on 'a healthy diet for a healthy life', cementing its commitment to encourage active and healthy ageing. This unified drive to tackle important health issues and create a set of recommendations that includes all EU member nations will undeniably boost healthcare and well-being in Europe.
