In the run-up to the annual congress which will take place from 5th to 8th October 2011, the European Health Forum Gastein has again initiated the European Health Award to the value of 10,000 Euros. This year, the award will be sponsored by FOPI, the association of research-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in Austria.

“The purpose of this award is to promote initiatives which have made a significant contribution to major challenges facing the health systems in more than one European country“, says EHFG President Dr Günther Leiner. “It is particularly directed at initiatives which help to eliminate inequality in access to health services and the provision of treatment.“

The award, last year, went to the “Chronic Disease Alliance”, a project, which unites ten public and professional health organisations active in fields such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cancers, respiratory or liver diseases for a common prevention approach. In 2009, the award was won by the “European Practice Assessment“ (EPA) project, which improved the cross-border knowledge and experience exchange for primary care general practitioners. In 2008 the CAWT Kidney Project, a cross-border cooperation project for improving the quality of nephrological care, won the award. In 2007 the “European Alliance against depression” was the first initiative to receive the prize.

The selection criteria

• A health policy initiative of European importance that focuses on public health or health care delivery addressing an important  threat to the health of the population.
• The initiative must demonstrate a benefit to the health and health care of the population in terms of prevention, improving  quality of care, access, efficiency and cost effectiveness of care.
• The initiative shall be already in the implementation phase in at least two European countries, although it does not have to  be completed at the time of application.
• Expected outcomes and improvements as well as initial results must be shown and be measurable.
• The health policy initiative has to be transferable to other European countries.

Applications to be considered for the award must be submitted by Monday, 6th June 2011. Information and application form can be found at www.ehfg.org/award.html.

Submitted projects will be evaluated by a renowned jury consisting of representatives from the fields of health care, science, politics and economics.

Photos from the award ceremony at the EHFG 2010: http://www.ehfg.org/gallery/congress2010/day-3-08-10-2010/d3-plenary-1/_BAR2998.JPG.php

EHFG Press Office:

B&K Medien- und Kommunikationsberatung
Birgit Kofler
Mobil: +43 676 636 89 30
Tel. :  +43 1 319 43 78
E-Mail: kofler(at)bkkommunikation.com