K. whereas the socio-economic impact of diseases relating to the problems of overweight (which already account for between 4 and 7% of the Member States' total health expenditure) must also be considered; whereas the overall cost of obesity (taking into account the increased likelihood of unemployment, work stoppages and invalidity) has not been subjected to precise scientific evaluation,

K. having regard to the socio-economic impact of diseases relating to the problems of overweight (which already account for between 4 and 7% of the Member States' total health expenditure); whereas the overall cost of obesity (taking into account the increased likelihood of unemployment, work stoppages and invalidity) has not been subjected to precise scientific evaluation,

Unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity are the leading causes of avoidable illness and premature death in Europe, and the rising incidence of obesity is a major public health concern for the countries of the European Union (EU).

13. Remarks that the "big killers" (e.g. cancer diseases, cardiovascular diseases) and the "big cripplers" (e.g. musculo-skeletal disorders and other work-related chronic diseases, health problems resulting from e.g. unhealthy diets, drug abuse, environmental degradation and reduced physical activity) could be considerably reduced by general intersectoral policies and individual preventive policies and improved measures to address those factors in people's working and living environment which cause disease; stresses, therefore, the importance of developing occupational health care with a view to the prevention and early detection of dis ...[+++]eases and health problems;

In other words, we found that more funds are available for diseases which mainly afflict men, and I say this for the benefit of my male colleagues, rather than for the benefit of the diseases which hit women; in other words, when it comes to combating diseases and health problems, there is also gender discrimination.

B. Having regard to the significant changes to demography, communications, lifestyles, age profiles, mobility, health care standards and social, economic and environmental health determinants affecting EU citizens during the period of the first Framework Programme for Public Health; seeking to learn from the experiences during that period regarding emerging diseases and health conditions, specifically transmissible diseases;