Chronic respiratory system diseases cost European economies more than €102 billion annually. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alone leads to annual costs of more than €50 billion, and the trend is increasing. Experts at the European Health Forum Gastein complain of an epidemic that is frequently underestimated.  Up to 75 percent of those afflicted with COPD never get diagnosed, foregoing the potential benefit of appropriate treatment.

The 13th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) opened today in Bad Hofgastein. Discussions at the congress will center on the future of European health care systems. EHFG President Leiner criticized that decentralized and federalist decision-making structures often pose barriers to health care system reform. A system structured around small hospitals is problematic in terms of cost and quality.

(Brussels, 7 October)

Effective R&D and innovation are drivers of growth in Europe’s food and drink industry, which is the single largest manufacturing sector in Europe (using 70% of EU agricultural production; with a turnover of 965 billion euro; and providing direct employment for 4.4 million people). However, across Europe, investment in R&D represents only 0.37% of food and drink output – lower than in other developed countries such as the US and Japan.

President of Senegal pledges support for sector

The First African Public Transport Congress & Exhibition, held in Dakar, Senegal, from 3 to 7 October and organised by the African Association of Public Transport (UATP) and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), closes its doors today, with extremely positive messages for the development of new infrastructure in Africa and a call for foreign investment. The President of the Republic of Senegal His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade used the occasion to pledge his support for public transport.

The upgraded IRU Road Transport Indices forecast growth in GDP, transported tonnes and vehicle registrations in TRACECA countries, whereas the EU remains at a standstill.