On Friday 28 September, the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the current and future research programmes and other health investments as part of the next multiannual financial framework. The discussions also focused on the governance of the health strand in the Commission's new European Social Fund+ proposal. Article 29 of the proposal states: “The Commission shall consult the health authorities of the Member States in the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases or in other relevant Commission expert group or similar entities on the work plans established for the Health strand and its priorities and strategic orientations and its implementation,  and also on the health policy perspective of other policies and support mechanisms, thus increasing their overall coordination and added value.” Senior level representatives of the Member States' health ministries, Commission services including DG Research and Innovation, DG Employment, the Structural Reform and Support Service, DG Energy, DG Connect, the Joint Research Centre, Eurostat and the European Investment Bank all took part and contributed to the discussions.

For more information:

• EU action on non-communicable diseases