Life expectancy in southern Italy
20.2.2018
Question for written answer E-001054-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Michela Giuffrida (S&D)
A recent study by the National Observatory on Health in the Italian Regions shows that the North-South divide is widening instead of narrowing: in the South mortality is rising among the under-70s, and life expectancy is continuing to fall; compared with the European average, the gap is almost eight years.
The prime responsibility for health services still lies with Member States. However, in keeping with Article 168 TFEU and the ‘Together for Health’ strategy in support of Europe 2020, the EU has a major role to play in improving public health as regards the prevention and management of diseases and the harmonisation of health strategies from one Member State to another.
That being the case, what steps will the Commission take to:
- —give effect to the conclusions of the EP report on EU options for improving access to medicines concerning the right to medical treatment and the shortage of medicines; and
- —encourage the use of IT, mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), and intelligent applications so that healthcare professionals can stay connected?