Eurocare
Encyclopedia
Eurocare is a network of some 50 voluntary and non-governmental organisations working on the prevention and reduction of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
related harm across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Its mission is to advocate for prevention of alcohol related harm in Europe through effective evidence-based policy
Evidence-based policy
Evidence-based policy is public policy informed by rigorously established objective evidence. It is an extension of the idea of evidence-based medicine to all areas of public policy...
. Eurocare is one of the founding members of the European Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF). EAHF is hosted by the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
DG-SANCO, the Charter establishing the forum was signed by 40 members in 2007. In order to participate in this Forum, organizations have to meet specific requirements and make at least one commitment to combat alcohol.
Eurocare was founded in 1990. Starting with 9 member organizations in 1990, it now includes some 50 organisations. Eurocare has a Secretariat in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, is democratically
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
structured and is governed by a General Assembly. Eurocare organisations are involved in:
- ResearchResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
and advocacyAdvocacyAdvocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an... - The provision of workplace and school based programs
- The provision of counselling services
- The provision of information to the public
- Residential support for problem drinkers
Eurocare is a member of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) and the European Public Health Alliance
European Public Health Alliance
The European Public Health Alliance is a European non-profit association registered in Belgium. Its members are non-profit organisations active in public health. The EPHA has 92 member organisations based in 21 European countries...
(EPHA).
Eurocare work focuses on raising awareness among European, national and regional decision makers on the harms caused by alcohol (social, health and economic burden) ensuring that these are taken into consideration in all relevant EU
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
policy discussions. Eurocare believes that alcohol is a key health determinant responsible for 7.4% of all ill-health and early death in Europe and should not be treated just as any other marketable commodity
Commodity
In economics, a commodity is the generic term for any marketable item produced to satisfy wants or needs. Economic commodities comprise goods and services....
. Eurocare considers that the means of alcohol production, distribution, consumption and control must be tackled at a European level and such action must be supportive of national control policies.
Eurocare is supported through members’ contributions, both in membership fees and staff time. Additionally, Eurocare receives some funding from the European Commission and the WHO
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
for various projects and publications. Recent projects and publications include:
- The Trans Atlantic Civil Society Dialogue EU- USA
- PROTECT: Alcohol Labelling Policies to Protect Young People
- VINTAGE: Good Health into Older Age
- Pathways for Health
- FASE: Focus on Alcohol Safe Environment
- AMPHORA
- Bridging the Gap
- Building Capacity
- ELSA
- EUCAM
- PHEPA
Eurocare does not accept any funding
Funding
Funding is the act of providing resources, usually in form of money , or other values such as effort or time , for a project, a person, a business or any other private or public institutions...
from the alcohol industry
Alcohol industry
The alcohol industry is a term used to describe the commercial industry which is involved in the manufacturer, distribution and sale of alcohol. The industry has been criticised in the 1990s for deflecting attention away from the problems associated with alcohol use. The alcohol industry has also...
.
External links
- http://www.eurocare.org/ Eurocare Website
- http://ec.europa.eu/health/alcohol/policy/index_en.htm European Commission DG SANCO
- http://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/documents/alcohol_europe_en.pdf Alcohol in Europe