Table 1 Timeline of main developments in EU health policy
Year | EU health policy developments before the introduction of a legal EU health mandate |
1957 | Treaty of Rome: health is not a priority. Two aspects are considered: social security of cross-border workers and occupational health. |
1971 | Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the community (accompanied by implementing Regulation (EEC) No 574/72). |
1985 | EC launches the action programme “Europe against Cancer”. |
1993 | Maastricht treaty: the legal basis for undertaking actions in the field of public health is defined in Article 3(o) and Article 129. |
Year | EU health policy developments after the introduction of a legal EU health mandate by the Maastricht Treaty |
1995 | The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA), now European Medicines Agency (EMA), has been formed in London. |
1997 | Treaty of Amsterdam: Health Impact Assessment is implemented. |
1999 | Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) is established. |
2000 | Lisbon Agenda recognizes health protection as a prerequisite for economic growth measured with the indicator Healthy Life Years. |
2002 | The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been established in Parma. |
2002 | First Programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) launched. |
2003 | The Tobacco Advertising Directive 2003/ 33/EC is adopted after the first version has been annulled by the European Court of Justice. |
2004 | Commission decision to set up an Executive Agency for the public health programme. It has the task to manage community action in the field of public health. |
2005 | The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm is operational. |
2007 | White paper: Together for health: a strategic approach for the EU 2008-2013. |
2007 | Decision for a second Programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-13). |
2011 | Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare has been adopted. |