This module looks at how Europe becomes one zone in relation to public health. 

We particularly examine the competence of the European Union in relation to health and public health. We consider, in detail, how a small number of health policies move through the legislative process from evidenced policy choices to law; particularly looking at the Cross-border Patient Rights Directive, and the General Data Protection Regulation. 

In order to do this, we will also critically evaluate the general European Union law, particularly in relation to public health and governance. We consider the relationship between Treaty Law, Regulations and Directives, and Policy Initiatives; and the relationship between institutions in the EU and Member States.

Background and setting:

The original purpose of the European project was purely economic, and this legacy is still visible in the primary focus in the EU treaties on the free movement for people, goods, services, and capital. The place of health in the European project is much more ambiguous. In part, the necessity for a direct Europe-wide response to public health has obvious harmonisation and Europeanisation goals; public health is necessary for the operation of ‘Europe’ on all levels. However, it is more difficult to see the competence of the Union in matters of private health care. In private health, the Union can only speak through its general economic competence. However, when it does speak on matters of health, there is a loud ambiguity between single market harmonisation and social federalist ideals. This is, of course, an expression of the ambiguity at the heart of the Europe project, and at the health of its history. 

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module, students have insight in and knowledge about:

• the main political and legal institutions of the EU, their tasks and their competences
• the decision procedures and legal and policy instruments
• the historical development of European cooperation and the role and content of the European Treaties
• the relation between EU and the Member States and the principle of subsidiarity
• the formal competences and activities of the EU in the field of health (prevention, research, pharmaceuticals, services)
• the transformation of principles and evidence into policy

Application of knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module, students:

- understand the impact of the legal and political infrastructure of the EU

- are able to assess the role of the EU and other bodies concerning prevention and healthcare on the level of the EU and on the national level

Making judgements

At the end of the module, students are able to:

- reflect critically on the function of laws, moral principles, and regulations which shape the governance of prevention and healthcare.

Communication

At the end of the module students are able to:

- communicate in a professional way with policy makers and other representatives of European organisations

- decipher the language barriers between professions involved in the translation of evidence into policies

Learning skills

At the end of the module, students are able to:

- read primary and secondary legal texts

- construct and communicate legal arguments