On 9th September, the Policy Decision Making Forum (PDMF) took place in Brussels, Belgium. Organized by the Slovenian National Institute of Public Health - leader of JA PreventNCD's Sustainability Work Package, the event brought together several participants, combining JA PreventNCD’s Work Package leaders, representatives from the European Commission's Directorate-Generals,, EuroHealthNet, OECD, WHO, JACARDI and Member States.
The event was organized by the Sustainability Work Package (WP4), whose main role is to understand the activities and planned outcomes of the content work packages. At the PDMF, the sustainability team, together with WP leaders, supported the identification of priority JA PreventNCDs policies and propose for the upgrade of those policies in accordance to policies and priorities which are currently under consideration at the Commission level and the MS level. The discussions also focused at how the policies could align with the Wellbeing Economy principles.
Different policies from the JA PreventNCD were discussed, namely:
- Harmful Food Marketing to Children
- Health Taxation
- Public Food Procurement
One of the main messages brought forward at the meeting was the competitiveness of Europe. Without a healthy population, there can be no competitive Europe. Health should thus be treated as a priority.
The meeting was a great success, as it set a solid ground to make the project’s actions concrete, implementable and sustainable.