Policy-oriented research - Scientific Support to Policies (SSP) in the area:

"Providing health, security and opportunity to the people of Europe"

This area, which is part of the FP6 Research for Policy Support addresses 3 major research priorities, outlined here below.

NEW - Information flyer on indicative topics for the first calls under the Health Theme of the 7th European Framework Programme for Research, 3rd Pillar: "OPTIMISING THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE TO EUROPEAN CITIZENS".

2.1. Health determinants and the provision of high quality and sustainable health care services and pension systems (in particular in the context of ageing and demographic change)

Objectives

Research is needed to deepen understanding and enhance the scientific base for policy on the main determinants of health in the EU and of developments in European health and care services. It will contribute to health protection, prevention and promotion, taking into consideration a comparative policy assessment of the determinants for health, such as key lifestyle factors, environmental and socio economic factors, nutrition and gender and other policies that impact on health, such as social exclusion policy.

Research under this area will complement and take into account the actions launched under the new EC Public Health Programme (2003-2008) and the work to be carried out under Priority 1 "Life Sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health". It will have the following specific objectives: to establish demographic scenarios; to improve the understanding of health determinants; to assess the quality and performance of health care; to assess the performance of pension systems and the consequences of an ageing population, to examine research and public health priorities at European level.

2.2. Public health issues, including epidemiology contributing to disease prevention and responses to emerging rare and communicable diseases, allergies, procedures for secure blood and organ donations, non-animal test methods

Objectives

Research is needed to deepen understanding and enhance the scientific base for policy on the main determinants of health in the EU and of developments in European health systems. Research under this area will focus on the surveillance of anti-microbial resistance, rare diseases - improve our understanding of a number of already identified diseases and facilitate the identification of others; blood, organ and substances of human origin - development of procedures for the replacement of blood, blood components, organs, tissues and cells by safer alternatives including identifing the best possible framework for donations, and research on issues concerning human tissue and cell processing; and alternative in vitro testing methods - development of globally accepted test guidelines that can be further validated.

Research under this area will complement and take into account the actions launched under the new EC Public Health Programme (2003-2008) and the work to be carried out under Priority 1 (Life Sciences genomics and biotechnology for health) and Priority 5 (Food Quality and Safety), as well as work foreseen under 2.7 below (Issues related to civil protection).

2.4. Quality of life issues relating to handicapped/disabled people (including equal access facilities)

Objectives

Multi-disciplinary research is needed to address the gaps in knowledge, deepen understanding and enhance the scientific base of policy. It will focus on improving measurement issues, changing the organisation of care delivery to services and understanding the social and environmental contexts.

Research in this area will draw on recent results and on-going projects and initiatives. It will have the following specific objectives: to improve measurement on types and prevalence of impairments European wide; to develop innovative strategies and methods for improving independent living conditions and integrated living models; including principles for quality of care and quality assurance criteria in the different countries; examine the issue of the integration of people with disabilities into the labour market.

Indicative Budget for the 3rd Call for Proposals (this call is now closed)

Proposals (STREPs, CAs or SSAs) are invited for tasks identified in the current version of the Work programme for Specific programme 1 on "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area (2002-2006)

Expected next call publication date: October 2005

Links to other relevant services of the Commission:

• § DG Health and Consumer Protection (SANCO)

http://europa.eu/comm/health/index_en.html
• § DG Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

http://europa.eu/comm/employment_social/disability/index_en.html
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-prot/social/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu/comm/employment_social/soc-prot/healthcare/healthcare_en.htm
• § DG Environment (ENV)
  http://europa.eu/comm/dgs/environment/index_en.htm
  http://europa.eu/comm/environment/health/index_en.htm
  

Commission contacts:

Policy Support Coordination:
Kevin McCarthy: Contact Form

Area 2.1: Jan Paehler: Contact Form

Area 2.2:
Gianfranca Russo: Contact Form
José-Luis Bilbao Guerrero: Contact Form

Area 2.4:
Véronique Bernard: Contact Form