Health impact assessment: assessing opportunities and barriers to intersectoral health improvement in an expanded European Union

摘要: On 1 May 2004 the European Union (EU) underwent unprecedented enlargement, from 15 to 25 countries, increasing its population by 20% over 450 million. Although EU law has limited specific competence in area of health, influence on other policy sectors such as agriculture, trade, and employment wide ranging implications for health. Yet with exception provisions communicable disease control food safety, public health considerations have played little part negotiations accession. This paper argues an intersectoral approach expanded EU. It reviews legal basis assessing impacts and, using impact assessment a case study, it examines how well new member states may be prepared tackle action within constraints imposed policy.