EU health ministers discuss sustainable development

The Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, Louis Deguara, stressed the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles as a basis for sustainable development.

Dr Deguara was speaking at the Health Council of Ministers meeting in Luxembourg at which a policy debate was held on the European Commission's communication about the EU strategy for sustainable development.

Dr Deguara emphasised the need to take into consideration the sustainability of health care systems when planning for sustainable development within the EU in the coming years.

Ministers also discussed HIV/AIDS and strategies to combat this epidemic within the EU and its neighbouring countries. Dr Deguara stressed the importance of preventive activities and surveillance in tackling HIV/AIDS, the government said.

The ministers agreed to adopt conclusions on women's health that primarily aim at insuring a high level of health protection for women.

They also adopted conclusions on promoting healthy lifestyles and prevention of diabetes. Member states are being encouraged to implement information systems that enable trends in diabetes care to be monitored.