Information note of the European Court of Auditors concerning Special Report No 2/2009 ‘The European Union’s Public Health Programme (2003-2007): an effective way to improve health?’

Article 152 of the EC Treaty set out the Communities’ role in the field of public health, stating that Community activities are directed towards 'improving public health, preventing human illness and diseases, and obviating sources of danger to human health'. These Community actions are to complement measures taken at national level and need to respect the Member States' responsibilities for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care.

The Public Health Programme (PHP) for 2003-2007 aimed at complementing the measures taken by Member States to protect and improve public health. It was structured around three programme strands: 'health information', rapid reaction to 'health threats' and health promotion through addressing 'health determinants'.

The Court’s audit asked whether the right conditions were set for the projects financed from the EU budget to contribute effectively to improving the health of European citizens, as a complement to measures taken by Member States.