The European Commission is proud to present the fifth edition of the EU Health Prize for Journalists. It is awarded to stimulate high-quality journalism that raises awareness of issues related to healthcare and citizen's rights. Under the theme "Europe for Patients", the prize highlights the following EU health policy initiatives:
- cross-border healthcare
- rare diseases
- health workforce
- patient safety and hospital acquired infections
- organ donation and transplantation
- chronic diseases: cancer, cardiovascular diseases and/or diabetes
- vaccination (flu vaccination and/or childhood vaccination)
- prudent use of antibiotics
- ageing and dementias
- pharmaceuticals
- active and healthy ageing
- health determinants: tobacco, alcohol and/or nutrition & physical activity.
Journalists are invited to submit their articles published in print or online media in any EU Member State (including Croatia) between 01 August 2012 and 30 September 2013. The articles must relate to one of the 12 health topics listed above. Submissions are open until 30 September 2013. Please read carefully the rules of the prize.
There is one nominee per Member State. All national nominees are invited to Brussels for the award ceremony where the winner and two runners-up will receive prizes with a value of:
- 1st prize: € 6,500
- 2nd prize: € 4,000
- 3rd prize: € 2,500
The EU Health Prize for Journalists is funded under the second Community Health Programme 2008-13.
The first EU Health Prize for Journalists was awarded in 2009. The winners of the past editions are:
- 2012: Petr Třešňák (Czech Republic), with an article on mental health "Adventures in ward 14
", published in Respekt magazine. - 2011: Ben Hirschler and Kate Kelland (United Kingdom), with an article on antimicrobial resistance "When the drugs don't work(79 KB)", published in Reuters.
- 2010: Gianluca Ferraris and Ilaria Molinari (Italy), with an article on stem cells "Stealing hope(44 KB)
italiano (it) ", published in Panorama. - 2009: Estelle Saget (France), with an article on mental health "Schizophrenia explained to family and friends(127 KB) français (fr) ", published in L'Express.
The European Commission wishes good luck to all candidates.