Question: Equality in stroke prevention across Europe's ageing population  
 
Concerning the equal treatment of patients in the EU, can the Commission outline how it can help improve patient education and facilitate the exchange of best practice between Member States? Will the Commission support the development of strategies to support the equal and adequate provision of preventative therapy for patients at risk of stroke?

Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission

The Commission encourages the adoption of good practices in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases including strokes, by supporting the European Heart Health Charter(1), which calls for the implementation of health strategies and policies to promote cardiovascular health and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Under the second Health programme (2008‑13), the Commission agreed in October 2010 to co-finance the European Heart Health Strategy II project, which aims to assist decision‑makers in developing evidence based cardiovascular prevention policies, and at strengthening the input of patients in the decision making process.

The Commission is also supporting research on stroke and its prevention through the European Stroke Network funded by the 7th Framework Programme for Research. This initiative tackles issues such as the development of stroke prevention approaches, the improvement of the safety of existing therapies, and the development of new therapies.

The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that Member States are responsible for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. The role of the Commission consists in supporting Member States' policies, for example by disseminating information.

(1) European Heart Health Charter http://www.ehnheart.org/euroheart/european-health-charter.html