Call for proposals on health promotion and prevention of noncommunicable and communicable diseases, including vaccine-preventable and other cancers caused by infections, and on smoke- and aerosol-free environments - (DP/CR-g-24-29)

Sub-topic (b):

The expected results include:

a) identification and piloting of best and promising practices through population-level interventions;

b) concrete outputs to help increase the uptake of vaccination among vulnerable groups such as Roma, including vaccination sites/hubs, where those populations can easily get vaccinated, information material developed in collaboration with health professionals and health mediators, tools to address mis- and disinformation; and tools to strengthen the monitoring of vaccination uptake;

c) concrete outputs to help increase the uptake of HPV and Hepatitis B vaccination among all affected population groups, including initiatives that can reduce structural barriers to vaccination, initiatives that can address vaccine hesitancy, and initiatives that can counter mis- and disinformation; d) concrete actions that can contribute to increased awareness and knowledge of infections as possible causes for cancer across relevant target groups.

This actions are expected to:

Sub-topic (b): support the increase of the uptake of HPV vaccination for both girls and boys, better awareness of the risks amongst the target populations, an increased uptake of HBV vaccination among vulnerable groups, and an increased uptake of HBV and HCV testing and treatment as well as improved linkage to care.

The aim of this action is to contribute to reducing the burden caused by NCDs and communicable diseases and their risk factors, supporting Member States’ actions. The action targets:

Sub-topic (b): Vaccination and vaccine-preventable cancers (HPV and HBV) including implementation of the planned Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers and other cancers caused by infections (HPV, HBV and HCV);

Sub-topic (b) is linked to and support the activities under DP/CR-g-24-28 Direct grants to Member States’ authorities: Cancers caused by infections, vaccine-preventable cancers and addressing communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis).

Sub-topic (b):

Activities will aim to:

a) Develop and pilot guidance on increasing the uptake on vaccination, in particular among vulnerable groups, on the basis of identification of best and promising practices in the field;

b) build on the advice and momentum from the Council Recommendation on vaccine preventable cancers, supporting Member States’ priorities and actions to implement it.

More specific activities will include:

a) targeted outreach activities to increase the uptake of vaccination among vulnerable populations, including displaced people from Ukraine (as beneficiaries of the access to healthcare provided by Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof (the ‘Temporary Protection Directive’)^[1], when they need special actions to be integrated in the regular national health systems) and Roma in the EU;

b) activities to contribute to the implementation of the Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers and activities to contribute to reduction of vaccine preventable cancers and other cancers caused by infections (HPV, HBV and HCV);

c) support for Member States in implementing actions related to the Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers, including the sharing of best practices and innovative approaches;

d) awareness-raising and provision of information and knowledge on the impact of infections as possible causes for cancer across relevant target groups and on the importance of HPV vaccination for both girls and boys, HBV vaccination, HBV and HCV testing and treatment as well as an improved linkage to care;

e) capacity-building for health professionals, including in terms of communication skills, and support for patient groups and vulnerable groups such as Roma, drug users, prisoners, refugees, and migrants.

Activities under sub-topic (b) should ideally complement the activities carried out under DP/CR-g-24-28 Direct grants to Member States’ authorities: cancers caused by infections, vaccine-preventable cancers and addressing communicable diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, HBV and HVC).

All activities under this call will cover the promotion of health and the prevention and management of NCDs and communicable diseases, supporting in particular vulnerable population groups, including displaced people from Ukraine (as beneficiaries of the access to healthcare provided by the Temporary Protection Directive, when they need special actions to be integrated in the regular national health systems) and Roma in the EU. Activities should also include an equity dimension and aim at reducing health inequalities.

[1] OJ L 212, 7.8.2001, p. 12.