Fostering good health in an ageing population, protecting citizens from health threats and supporting dynamic health systems and new technologies are the objectives of the new health strategy adopted by the European Commission on 23 October.

The White Paper, entitled 'Together for Health - A Strategic Approach for the EU, 2008-2013', sets out a framework to respond to a wide range of health challenges in a comprehensive and coherent way.

'The European Union is facing new challenges. Its population is ageing fast and recent enlargements widened the health gaps between Member States,' said EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. 'Migration, the mobility of health professionals and patients, the risks posed by pandemics and bioterrorism, all represent additional challenges. So do globalisation and climate change. The time has come for the EU to develop a strong and comprehensive strategy on health.'

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