New programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008)

With its publication on 9 October, the decision on the EU's new programme of Community action in the field of public health has entered into force (1). A major part of the programme concerns communicable diseases, and there is a particular commitment to strengthen international rapid response capacity. The decision sets out the aims for the programme, describes the actions and support measures, and creates the conditions for the European Commission to develop structural arrangements, such as a technical coordination centre (2), to ensure the effectiveness and the cohesion of measures and actions.