Events

European Health Award 2012

Winner & short-listed projects

03-05 October 2012, Bad Hofgastein

Archive EHA 2012

We would like to congratulate the winner HLS-EU – The European Health Literacy Project.

Health literacy is identified as a critical empowerment strategy which constitutes the ability to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life. Whilst the health literacy field was emerging at global level; it became clear that the European region was lacking an evidence base on health literacy. The European Health Literacy Project (HLS-EU) was established 2009-2012 with financial support from the European Commission to bridge the gap with the objectives to demonstrate the manifestation of health literacy in various European countries and address its overall cultural, social and political impact, and ensure the implementation of working structures and formulation of policy impulses. Accordingly; a consortium of nine European partners organised the European health Literacy survey in eight countries, established the international network ‘Health Literacy Europe’ and national advisory boards on health literacy in eight countries.

Participating countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and Spain (Belgium, Israel, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK are expected to follow). A Nordic network (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) has also been initiated.

SHORTLISTED PROJECTS

Project 1: Breast Health Day – Prevention and Early Detection of Breast Cancer

In Europe, breast cancer accounts for 140,000 deaths and 450,000 new cases every year, the main cause of cancer deaths among women. One in nine women will be diagnosed in their lifetime, yet a third of breast cancers are preventable or an estimated 178,200 by 2020. Breast Health Day was first launched in October 2008 to raise awareness and disseminate information about the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Each year a new campaign is developed that includes posters, pamphlets, media backgrounders, a website, and a digital editorial campaign on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Participating countries: Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.

Project 2: EB-CLINET – Clinical Network of Epidermolysis Bullosa centres and EB experts

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a severe but rare condition which is poorly treated in many European countries. An estimated 30,000 EB patients and their families across Europe stand to benefit from this project, whose key goals and objectives to be realised within a two-year period include initiation of multi-centre clinical studies for new treatment methods, development of an online database of best practice, and the launch of a specialised medical training and further education programme. It is thought this model could be emulated for other rare diseases.

Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. EB centres and specialists in Chile, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Mexico, USA.

Project 3: EUBIROD – European Best Information through Regional Outcomes in Diabetes

Diabetes is currently killing 325,000 people a year in Europe. There are approximately 35 million diabetes sufferers, and that figure is projected to increase 23% by 2030. Monitoring quality of care can improve policy and practice. The project (2009-12) is implementing a sustainable European diabetes register through coordination of existing national/regional frameworks, and the systematic use of the BIRO (Best Information through Regional Outcomes) technology, updated and improved to facilitate adoption by a growing community of partners. So far the project has brought about updated standardised definitions for diabetes and a common framework for standardised measurements. BIRO software is up and running in 20 countries, with a BIRO academy and e-learning platform to support training and dissemination.

Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Project 4: HLS-EU – the European Health Literacy Project

Health literacy is identified as a critical empowerment strategy which constitutes the ability to make sound health decisions in the context of everyday life. Whilst the health literacy field was emerging at global level; it became clear that the European region was lacking an evidence base on health literacy. The European Health Literacy Project (HLS-EU) was established 2009-2012 with financial support from the European Commission to bridge the gap with the objectives to demonstrate the manifestation of health literacy in various European countries and address its overall cultural, social and political impact, and ensure the implementation of working structures and formulation of policy impulses. Accordingly; a consortium of nine European partners organised the European health Literacy survey in eight countries, established the international network ‘Health Literacy Europe’ and national advisory boards on health literacy in eight countries.

Participating countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and Spain (Belgium, Israel, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK are expected to follow). A Nordic network (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) has also been initiated.

Project 5: Paediatric Nutrition in Practice – Extensive E-learning

This project, accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Medical Education (EACCME), aims to close teaching gaps in nutrition and paediatrics. Good nutrition during the foetal period and the first years of life substantially contributes to long-term health. It is also a major underlying factor in obesity and non-communicable diseases, and malnutrition remains a major cause of death, particularly in developing countries. Eastern Europe suffers from both malnutrition and obesity. Nine training modules address the impact of nutrition during infancy and childhood. Single modules have gradually been introduced over the last 12 months and have been visited by 5,200 students so far.

Participating countries: Programme available in Europe and recognised in USA and some Asian countries. Modules are accessible all over the world and are already actively used by postgraduate African students.

Project 6: Tob Taxy – Making Tobacco Tax Trendy

This project is aimed at reducing tobacco consumption to decrease the longer-term burden of non-communicable diseases, and promote health outcomes particularly for young people. Tobacco use in Europe is the leading risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Price increases are the most effective way of reducing tobacco consumption. Training programmes have been developed for the public health community at national level, with content approved by a panel of experts and tailored to participating countries and regional needs. So far there have been five successful regional capacity-building workshops. National advocacy tool kits in 19 European languages are to be published online in September.

Participating countries: Croatia and all EU Member States bar Cyprus and Estonia.

Press releases & supporting materials

EHA Winner 2012
EHA 2012 - Shortlisted projects announced

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