The 2015-2017 framework programme of Alzheimer Europe aims to achieve the following objectives:1. Increasing knowledge about current national dementia policies and strategies, in order to promote best practices and reduce inequalities in dementia care in Europe (dementia-friendly communities, legal capacity and proxy decision making, care standards and care services for people with dementia and their carers),2. Promoting collaboration and exchange on ethical issues linked to dementia through the organisation's European Dementia Ethics Network (Ethical challenges faced by professional carers, the changing definition of Alzheimer's disease and disclosure of risk information, societal obligations to people with dementia and their carers),3. Improving the involvement of people with dementia in EU activities through the active consultation and involvement of the European Working Group of People with Dementia,4. Improving the information exchange on dementia through the setting up of a European Dementia Observatory and the organisation of an Annual Conference,5. Capacity building for national Alzheimer associations via the organisation of an Alzheimer Association Academy,6. Ensuring effective governance.The organisation's activities are fully aligned with the European Commission Communication on a European initiative on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias which recognised that "the importance of these conditions has long been recogned at a European level has long been recognised at a European level" and will provide important support to the growing number of Member States that are implementing or developing national dementia strategies. The work plan also addresses the priority identified in the third health programme of "support[ing] cooperation and networking in the Union in relation to ]...] improving the response to chronic diseases including [...] neurodegenerative diseases, by sharing knowledge, good practices and developing joint activities.


People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have a wide range of chronic and acute health issues and conditions. In many instances, more frequent and severe symptoms than the general population. They are twice as likely to have significant visual problems and at much younger age and are hardly ever engaged in vigorous physical activity and find it difficult to make themselves understood when speaking with health professionals. The health conditions are may be similar to the general population, the impacts can be greater on those with ID. People with ID experience higher mortality rates as a result of higher rates of cardiovascular diseases. The general objective of SOEEF is to provide year around training and competition as well as well being and health promotion initiatives for athletes across the EU 28.Furthermore the goal is to expand the network of trained coaches and health care professionals through training model, seminars and meetings. The ultimate goal is to engage more athlete, families, service providers and further stakeholders into Special Olympics programs to guaranty the growth of sport, well being and health opportunities throughout the EUan as well as have positive impact on health and well being of people with ID in general.The Special Olympics Health Program "Healthy Athletes" offers free of charge Health screenings and intervention for children and adults with an intellectual disabilities (ID). People with ID are often excluded from quality health care and/or have difficulties to find qualified health care providers. HA provides also comprehensive training opportunities for health care providers, families that have members with an ID, medical students and other health care experts.


The aim of the Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) network is to improve the health of children and young people in Europe, including reducing health inequalities, through a specific setting focus on schools. The network supports its members to further develop and sustain school health promotion by providing a European platform for school health promotion.For 2015-2017 4 specific objectives are formulated. By the end of 2017:• the functioning of national and regional health promoting school networks and the implementation of health promoting schools has been supported by sharing good practices, expertise and skills;• the professional development of SHE network members and other stakeholders has been supported by the delivery of the SHE support programme;• the visibility and access to evidence based information on school health promotion has increased by the delivery of publications and presentations;• the dissemination of school health promotion research findings and innovative research consortia has been promoted.Methods to achieve these objectives are: organising annual meetings and capacity building workshops. Maintaining SHE website, helpdesk, share information through newsletters and social media and by encouraging regional and cross-border cooperation. Developing online school twinning tool and the SHE online school manual. Developing an e-learning tool, organising a summer school, support publications and consultancy visits. Making SHE leaflets, factsheets, an online glossary and by representing the network at international conferences.The health of children and young people are and will be a key priority for the European Commission. The activities in the network relate directly to the first overall objective of the third programme of community action in the field of health (2014-2020) and thematic priorities 1.1 till 1.4 are high priority issues in school programmes and settings. The SHE network encourages a whole school approach to these priorities.
