20.2.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 46/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 372/1999/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 8 February 1999 adopting a programme of Community action on injury prevention in the frame- work for action in the field of public health (1999 to 2003) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first indent of Article 129(4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Atrticle 189b of the Treaty (%), (1) Whereas, throughout the Community, injuries must be considered as one of the major health scourges referred to in Article 129 of the Treaty; whereas they are a cause of substantial public concern; (2) Whereas Article 129 of the Treaty expressly provides for Community competence in this field in so far as the Community contributes towards ensuring a high level of human health protection by encouraging cooperation between the Member States and, if necessary, by lending support to their action by promoting coordination of their policies and programmes, and by fostering cooperation with third countries and international organisations competent in the field of public health; whereas Community action should be directed towards the prevention of diseases and the promotion of health education and information; (") OJ C 202, 2. 7. 1997, p. 20, and OJ C 154, 19. 5. 1998, p.14. (3 OJ C 19, 21. 1. 1998, p. 1. () OJ C 379, 15. 12. 1997, p. 44. (Y) Opinion of the European Parliament of 11 March 1998 (O] C 104, 6. 4. 1998, p. 119), Council Common Position of 23 November 1998 (O] C 404, 23. 12. 1998, p. 21) and Decision of the European Parliament of 16 December 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 25 January 1999. ®) Whereas, in accordance with Article 3(o) of the Treaty, Community action includes a contribution to the attainment of a high level of health protec- tion; Whereas, in its communication of 24 November 1993 on the framework for action in the field of public health, the Commission identified inten- tional and unintentional injuries and accidents as a priority area for action in the public health field; Whereas the large number of injuries caused each year in Europe has incalculable repercussions not only for the individuals concerned but also in social and economic terms; Whereas prevention, and the consequent reduction, of injuries should be a priority in the context of Community action in the field of public health, particularly in view of the great social and economic benefit to be derived from a Community measure, the cost-benefit ratio of which is also exceptionally favourable; Whereas in areas which do not fall within its exclusive competence, such as action on injury prevention, the Community takes action, in accord- ance with the principle of subsidiarity, only if and in so far as the objective of the proposed action can, by reason of its scale or effects, be better achieved by the Community; Whereas Community action on injury prevention will yield added value by bringing together activ- ities already undertaken in relative isolation at national level and by enabling them to comple- ment one another, with significant results for the Community as a whole; Whereas an action programme should be under- taken to help reduce the incidence of injuries;