Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders recognised as major chronic conditions in Europe -Horizon 2020
EULAR (www.eular.org) has been instrumental in achieving recognition of the impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) on people across Europe and the need to improve prevention and treatment along with the need for more research. EULAR have worked by bringing together patients, the rheumatology and orthopaedic community, other health professionals and scientists from across European countries to achieve this.
EU research programme Horizon 2020 recognises impact of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders which affect 120 million people in the Member States
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme to date, with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020). It puts research at the heart of a future which delivers smart, sustainable and inclusive European growth. By coupling research and innovation, Horizon 2020 is helping to achieve this with its emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges. The goal is to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation.
In January 2013 the European Parliament Leading Committee on the Horizon 2020 programme voted on the Commission proposal. A final vote has now taken place and the final Horizon2020 Framework Programme has been approved by the plenary of the European Parliament, and adopted by the EU Council.
The societal challenges of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders is recognised as a specific challenge in the programme. This will provide research opportunities to meet this challenge.
Reflection Process on Chronic Diseases:
“Major chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative or mental illnesses, and musculoskeletal conditions often result in premature morbidity and loss of healthy life years.”
The EU commission has been undertaking a reflection process to optimise a response to the challenges of chronic diseases. For the first time musculoskeletal conditions have been recognised as one of the major chronic diseases along with diabetes, cardiovascular, cancer and neurodegenerative and mental illnesses.
One of the reports core objectives expresses that “A better understanding of ageing processes and the prevention of age related illnesses are the basis for keeping European citizens healthy and active throughout the course of their lives.” Musculoskeletal health is core to this.
The Bone and Joint Decade – Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health – would like to highlight this success in raising the priority and recognition of musculoskeletal conditions at the European level. We now need this to happen across all continents.
For further details do not hesitate to contact us on bjd@cornwall.nhs.uk
