21.3.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L 86/1 (Legislative acts) | REGULATIONS REGULATION (EU) No 282/2014 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 March 2014 on the establishment of a third Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1350/2007 EC (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 168(5) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (%), Whereas: (1) In accordance with Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), a high level of human health protection is to be ensured in the defi- nition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. The Union is to complement and support national health policies, encourage cooperation between Member States and promote the coordination between their programmes, in full respect of the responsibilities () O] C 143, 22.5.2012, p. 102. () OJ C 225, 27.7.2012, p. 223. (’) Position of the European Parliament of 26 February 2014 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 11 March 2014. of the Member States for the definition of their health policies and the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. Continued effort is required in order to meet the requirements set out in Article 168 TFEU. The promotion of good health at Union level is also an integral part of 'Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth' ("the Europe 2020 Strategy"). Keeping people healthy and active longer and empowering them to take an active role in managing their health, will have positive overall effects on health, including a reduction of health inequalities, and a positive impact on quality of life, on productivity and competitiveness, while reducing pressures on national budgets. Support for, and recognition of, inno- vation, which has an impact on health, helps to take up the challenge of sustainability in the health sector in the context of demographic change; and action to reduce inequalities in health is important for the purposes of achieving 'inclusive growth'. It is appropriate in that context to establish the third Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health (2014-2020) ('the Programme’). According to the definition of the World Health Organi- sation (WHO), "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.". In order to improve the health of the population in the Union and reduce health inequalities, it is essential not to focus only on physical health. According to the WHO, mental health problems account for almost 40 % of years lived with disability. Mental health problems are also wide-ranging, long- lasting and a source of discrimination, and contribute significantly to inequality in health. Moreover, the economic crisis affects factors determining mental health, as protective factors are weakened and risk factors increased. The previous programmes of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) and in the field of health (2008-2013), adopted respectively by Decisions