RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL

of 11 November 1991

on health and the environment

(91/C 304/06)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Treaties establishing the European Communities,

Whereas the quality of life is largely determined by one's state of health;

Recognizing that health and well-being are dependent on a number of factors, including the quality of the environment;

Considering the transfrontier nature of health issues related to the environment and the interdependence of countries in finding solutions; whereas the Member States, the Community and neighbouring countries should cooperate in that respect;

Whereas a knowledge of, and information concerning, the effects of environmental factors on health are matters to be taken into account in drawing up a health policy;

Taking account of national, Community, international and, in particular, World Health Organization projects under way in this field;

Emphasizing that it is important to ensure that health-policy aims are taken into account in Community policies;

INVITE the Commission, in close cooperation with the competent authorities of the Member States, to take stock of the knowledge and experience available in the Member States, the Community and international organizations regarding the relationship between health and the environment;

On that basis, the Commission will be able to examine:

- how to gather and exchange such knowledge and experience,

- how the available knowledge can be improved and how it can be made accessible and usable in all the Member States, within the framework of their health policies,

- how to promote efforts to clarify the links between health and environment;

INVITE the Commission to report to the Council on the progress of activities at regular intervals, and for the first time, including a report on the abovementioned stocktaking, before 1994.