Health systems in Europe differ in their organization, regulation and financing.

The Community actions in the field of public health fully respect the responsibilities of the Members States for the organization and delivery of health services and medical care.

The European Union is committed to public health in cooperation with the Member States.

The European Union is the competent body to adopt action programs and strategies in the field of public health and can take other initiatives such as organizing consultations.

2002: Community Action Plan 2003-2008 in the field of public health

A comprehensive plan which replaces eight programs concerning health promotion, cancer, AIDS and certain communicable diseases, drug addiction, health surveillance and pollution-related diseases, injury prevention and rare diseases.

2005: Proposal for 2007-2013 in the field of health and consumer protection

A combined approach to health and consumer protection in order to make the most of synergies and to ensure greater efficiency of the actions taken in these fields.

2006: Amended proposal for a decision establishing a Program 2007-2013 of Community action in the field of Health

Part of a strategy bringing together the broad range of Community health action to define goals and priorities to help improve the health of citizens.

The objectives are to:

• Improve citizens' health security
• Promote health for prosperity and solidarity
• Generate and disseminate health knowledge

2007: a new health strategy in the pipeline

The importance of health as a European issue is increasingly demonstrated by the growing demand for more Community action on major health issues. This highlights the need for a new overarching, strategic framework to set aims and objectives to guide future work on health and to put in place the right instruments and actions to achieve them.

Cancer is considered as one of the eight leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Europe.

Patient mobility and healthcare developments in the EU

In 2003, the Commission consulted all stakeholders involved in the health services sector and invited them to take part in a high-level process of reflection on this topic.

Health services

In September 2006 the European Commission launched a public consultation on how to ensure legal certainty regarding cross-border healthcare under Community law, and to support cooperation between the health systems of the Member States.