Press Release: ‘Be Healthy, be yourself’ – Commission launches youth health initiative

Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies was the aim of an initiative launched by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou on 9 July, 2009. The initiative kicked off with a conference on Youth Health in Brussels on 9 and 10 July 2009. Over 200 young people, from across Europe, aged 18-25 years met with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical activity and mental health. Cross cutting issues, including the financial crisis, inequalities in health, education and the role of the media were also addressed. The conference was organised jointly with the European Youth Forum and accompanied by a multi-lingual website on the EU health portal which included a blog where young people can have their say on health.

European Commission: MEMO/09/326: Questions and answers on the EU Youth Health Initiative http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/326&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---