In 2009, an EU Health Prize for Journalists will be awarded to stimulate high-quality journalism that raises awareness on issues related to healthcare and patients' rights.
The Prize is part of the "Europe for patients" campaign, launched by EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou in September 2008, highlighting 10 health policy initiatives the Commission will adopt in 2008-2009. All these are bound by a common goal: better healthcare for all in Europe. The aim of the campaign is to provide a single entry-point to the often complex world of EU healthcare policies and actions.
The 10 initiatives of the campaign address patients' rights in cross-border health care, patient safety, rare diseases, organ donation and transplantation, cancer, health workforce, flu and childhood vaccination, mental health and prudent use of antibiotics.
Rewards will go to journalists who have contributed in a significant way to help citizens understand health issues, and through their work reflect patients' and health workers' expectations and thoughts.
The Prize will be awarded in the spirit of respect for media freedom and pluralism and in the context of the Commission's desire to improve communication between the European Institutions and the European citizens.
The Jury will award the outstanding articles (press or on-line) published between 2 July 2008 and 15 June 2009 in one of the official languages of the European Union.
The Prize will be awarded in autumn 2009.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu
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