WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1252/98 by Odile LEPERRE-VERRIER to the Commission. Health of young people
C 354/84 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 June 1998) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (98/C 354/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1252/98 by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Health of young people As many studies now indicate that young people in Europe are not looking after themselves properly, what action will the Commission be taking to develop health services for young people (health services at school and university, preventive medicine, etc. )? Are there not grounds for launching a specific public health programme? Does the Commission envisage specific measures in this area? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (5 June 1998) The Commission is well aware that investing in the health of young people is a cornerstone of European public health policies. This perception is reflected in the European public health action programmes, be it in the fields of cancer, aids, drugs, or health promotion, where youth is among the main target groups. Many projects are supported by these programmes, for example the European network of health promoting schools, a joint initiative of the Commission, the Council of Europe and the World health organisation (WHO) Europe. This network now comprises 38 countries in Europe, and involves over one million pupils. The health promoting school aims to achieve healthy lifestyles for the whole school population by developing supportive environments conductive to the promotion of health. It offers opportunities for the provision of a safe and health-enhancing social and physical environment. Through active collaboration between pupils, staff, parents and community the health promoting school offers a number of benefits, including the promotion of pupilsí self esteem enabling them to fulfil their physical, psychological and social potential. Some countries have successfully disseminated the concept throughout the school system. Others still have to face the challenges of implementation with the blessing of decision-makers in educational and political structures. The Commission is also working on a report on the state of health of young people in the Community, which will be published in due course. (98/C 354/136) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1254/98 by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Twinning arrangements with towns in the CEECs What progress has been made with the twinning arrangements between the European Union and certain municipalities in the countries of central and eastern Europe? Can the Commission give details of the activities that have taken place under the twinning programmes and the countries most involved?