European Science Advisory Network for

Health (EuSANH)

Improving Science Advice for Health in Europe

The EuSANH-ISA project is supported by funding under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European

Community under agreement number 229716

EASAC Science-Policy-

Dialogue workshop 20-21 Oct 2011 Lisbon

Science advice for health

(un)solicited analysis of a defined health problem, based on updated scientific knowledge, considering expert judgement, practical experience,

ethical, cultural and societal values and implications,

conclusions and recommendations for health policy

What is EuSANH? Network of science advisory bodies in Europe

active in the field of health.

Promotes independent science advice on health issues to national and European health authorities to support evidence-informed health policy.

Exchange and coordinate work programmes and advisory reports, consultation experts, joint work on advices.

EuSANH - history 2005 - The Hague

Invitational meeting with European organisations and EC

2006-2008 Annual meetings Brussels, Luxembourg, The Hague

Methodological aspects; Prevention of NCDs

2009 – 2011 EuSANH-ISA meetings, Brussels, Warsaw, Madrid

Kick-off; policy and thematic analysis; Methodological framework of science advice

October 2011 Bucharest

Official launch EuSANH organisation

Current EuSANH members

EuSANH-ISA partners

EuSANH advisory board

Permanent EASAC, ECDC, EFSA, FEAM, IOM, WHO

Europe

Added for EuSANH-ISA project SABs from CH, CZ, DE, FI, FR, PT, UK EUnetHTA, Eur Observatory, LSHTM

EuSANH-ISA Improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of SA for health across

Europe Current performance

Structured data on organisations’ advisory processes and practices Can we do better?

Survey for policy makers and SABs’ staff Methodological framework for producing science advice #

Does it work? Illustration by a first European science advisory report Determinants of a successful implementation of population-based

cancer screening programmes # How to organise EuSANH?

Communication/cooperation structure for a sustainable network# Website launched: www.eusanh.eu

Dissemination Formal launch new EuSANH organisation, Bucharest October 2011 Workshop at the European Public Health Conference Nov. 2011 Workshop at EU Polish presidency, ministerial confence Poznan

Can we do better? methodological framework for science

advice

Framing the issue: Need Planning the process: Timeliness Drafting the advisory report: Credibility, Independence,

Relevance, Transparency Formulating the recommendations: Feasibility Reviewing the report: Quality Publishing and disseminating the report: Openness Assessing the impact: Accountability

 

Principle 1: Need

regularly discuss emerging issues interaction health research community determine in close cooperation the questions consider a European or international perspective

Framing the issue

Planning the process

Principle 2: Timeliness

discuss the scope and duration of the task, considering the stage within the policy making process when scientific advice is needed

SAB develops operation procedures to manage the process

Drafting the report

Principle 3: Credibility

Selection committee members professional excellence and with an appropriate

range of expertise the diversity of scientific opinions

Drafting the report (2)

Principle 4: Independence

screen for conflicts of interest closed meetings to avoid political and special

interest influence responsible and accountable for the final

report

Drafting the report (3)

Principle 5: Relevance

consider adding a policy maker to the committee consider organising stakeholder hearings

Drafting the report (4)

Principle 6:Transparency

specify data and data sources document and explain all assumptions made in

interpreting and synthesizing the data identify and describe all uncertainties identify where and how expert judgment is applied

Formulating the recommendations

Principle 7: Feasibility

consider implementation of recommendations specify ethical or legal principles involved identify policy options

Reviewing the report

Principle 8: Quality

guarantee continuity in SARs similar issues independent peer review specify the response to the comments check consistency of report with other SARs

of SAB

Publishing the report

Principle 9: Openness

make publicly available consider press statements, press releases or

press briefings consider meetings with policy makers and

target groups

Assessing the impact

Principle 10: Accountability

follow-up procedure to monitor the policy makers’ actions in response to SAR

regularly perform a (self)assessment, both of the impact of reports and of performance

Does it work? (1)Illustration by a first European SAPurpose case studyo Agree on common advisory question:

determinants of successful implementation of population-based cancer screening programmes

Apply ‘best practices’ regarding the methodological framework of science advice

Try out new ideas to increase involvement of both policy makers and society:

f.i. including a policy advisor or patient groups open debate possibilities

Does it work? (2)Expected outcome

Arrived at concrete recommendations -> statement and checklist (Lynge E et al, Eur J Cancer 2011)

Showed added value by combining experiences of various national organisations into a better product.

Preparing evidence + one day workshop Evaluating such supra national approach in

science advice,-> suitable topic: valuable to consult local experts; evidence based approach appreciated; 2x f2f ;

How to organise EuSANH?Towards a sustainable organisation

Gradually Stage 1: (short term) Saving work, a bottom-up

approach of collaboration Stage 2: (mid term) Providing quality assurance Stage 3: (long term) European recognition, top-

down European projects(Each phase will be thoroughly evaluated before a next phase starts)

Formal launch EuSANH Bucharest 14 October 2011

Membership of the EuSANH network will provide

Access the best experts at a European level (‘Golden network’) Collaboration when preparing the science base for advisory

reports to avoid overlap and duplicate activities and thereby reduce the workload

Valorisation of research in the public domain (e.a. JPI) One point of contact for the European Commission Access to the annual EuSANH conference and EuSANH

website (members’ work programmes and advisory reports)

DisseminationInvitation EuSANH-ISA workshop

11 Nov CopenhagenTranslating science into policy – illustration of a methodological

framework for science advice

Introduction – Role of science advice at a European Level (JPI and EIP) -GR

A common methodological framework of Science Advice Results of survey policy makers and SAB staff -ISCIII Steps, principles and guidelines – GR

Two EuSANH science advice studies Determinants for a successful implementation of cancer screening programmes -SBU Childhood leukemia - SHC

Panel discussion on collaboration between SABs on national/European level Bernardo Delogu (EC), Kevin McCarthy (EC) -> valorisation in the public health field Finn Borlum Kristensen (EUnetHTA) -> experiences European organisations, Carlos Segovia (ISCIII),-> connection with JPIs Susanne Allander (SBU) -> example of relationship SA with policy makers,

To get involved

EuSANH secretariat eusanh@eusanh.eu EuSANH webpage: http://www.eusanh.eu

Thank you for your attention

Extra

Overlapping topics 2011 Vaccination:

Influenza National vaccination programmes

Mental health and psychosocial factors: psychotropic medicine Psychosis/schizophrenia, depression Autism spectrum disorders Violence against children

HTA Dental health

Environmental health Childhood leukemia-> collaborative project BE/NL