Specific Programme "Cooperation": Health

HEALTH

The objective of the health research programme is to improve the health of European citizens,and increase and strengthen the competitiveness and innovative capacity of European health-related industries and businesses. Global health issues, like emerging epidemics, will also be addressed. European collaboration with developing countries will allow those countries to develop research capacities.

What's the benefit for citizens:

Citizens will benefit from European health research since its emphasis will be put on:translational research (i.e. the translation of basic discoveries in clinical applications), the development and validation of new therapies, methods for health promotion and prevention including the promotion of healthy ageing, diagnostic tools and medical technologies, and sustainable and efficient healthcare systems.
Clinical research will tackle a number of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, infectious, mental and neurological diseases, and in particular those linked with ageing, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Through international multi-centre trials involving the required number of patients, new drugs and treatments would be developed in a shorter time frame.

What's the benefit for researchers:

European-funded health research will focus on:
• Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
- High-throughput research
- Detection, diagnosis and monitoring
- Prediction of suitability, safety and efficacy of therapies
- Innovative therapeutic approaches and intervention
• Translating research for human health
- Integration of biological data and processes
- Research on the brain and related diseases, human development and ageing
- Translational research in infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, SARS, avian influenza)
- Translational research in major diseases: cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity, rare diseases, other chronic diseases including rheumatoid diseases, arthritis and muscoskeletal diseases
• Optimising the delivery of healthcare to European citizens
- Translation of clinical outcome into clinical practice
- Quality, efficiency and solidarity of health care systems including transitional health care systems and home care strategies
- Enhanced disease prevention and better use of medicines
- Appropriate use of new health therapies and technologies

What's the benefit for industry and SMEs:

Research-based SMEs are the main economic drivers of healthcare, biotechnology and medical technologies. Strong EU-based biomedical research will enhance competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. It is therefore imperative that the EU creates an environment conducive to innovation in the public and private sectors.