This report sets out findings and recommendations from a review of European Heart Health Initiative members' action plans to increase physical activity among children and young people.

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Public health became a European Union (EU) policy objective with the adoption of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 and the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997. Its Article 152 made a high level of human health a constituent part of EU policy making, to be accomplished through cooperation between its Member States and with EU action focused on the prevention of diseases through research and through health information and education. A European Commission public health framework programme, adopted in 1993, led to a variety of health programmes, inter alia on cancer, drugs and AIDS. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) was covered to a limited extent by the action programme on health promotion, information, education and training.

Please find herewith the document prepared in the framework of the EHHI project on Guidelines for Building National Alliances for the Prevention of CVD.

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It is known that physical activity is an important factor in maintaining a healthy heart. Practising healthy dietary habits and remaining smoke free are other factors that must be considered equally, but this paper is concerned only with physical activity. It sets out the nature of the problem and proposes realistic approaches to solving it. Everyone who has contributed to this paper is adamant on this point: raising levels of physical activity in the population is one key to managing the burden of CVD. An insufficient level of physical activity is an issue of concern to all European Union countries as well as to the candidate countries.

The conference 'Winning Hearts - Actions and Policies for a Healthier Europe' was held on 14 February 2000 (St Valentine's Day). Recommendations were made on how heart-healthy considerations can be given their proper place in EU and national policy making.

The Parliamentary Survey (October 1999 - February 2000) was carried out by the European Heart Network and its members in the framework of the European Heart Health Initiative. The purpose of the survey was to get an overview of European politicians' knowledge of the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and their understanding of their role in providing a political environment conducive to the prevention of CVD.

The table of contents include the methodology and main conclusions of the survey and is available here.

In spite of a widespread belief that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been conquered, CVD remains the number one cause of death in Europe, taking more lives than all other causes combined. Of the approximately 1.5 million who die each year from CVD, 15% die before reaching the age of 65. For every person who dies each year of CVD, many more are suffering, either under medical care or living at reduced capacity.

The full document can be downloaded here.