Press Archive [2002]
25-28 September 2002, Bad Gastein
The EHFG 2002 took place from 25th to 28th September in Bad Gastein, the general theme being "Common Challenges for Health and Care". 425 delegates attended in order to discuss topical issues such as patient mobility, the adaptability of healthcare systems in a changing environment, the future of public health research, inequalities in health and the resulting challenges for social policy, nutrition and food policy as well as many other subjects.
As one of the highlights of the EHFG 2002 the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, David Byrne, was awarded the "Goethe Challenge Trophy" to honour his achievements in the field of the prevention of tobacco consumption. This trophy is conferred annually by Prof. Friedrich Portheine's "Goethe Endowment for Non-Smoking" to institutions or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to ensuring a smoke-free environment.
Padráig Flynn, the former EU-Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, was awarded the Large Medal of Honour of the Province of Salzburg for his decisive role as one of the founding fathers of the European Health Forum Gastein.