SHARP Joint Action aims to strengthen preparedness in the EU against serious cross-border threats to health, and support the implementation of
International Health Regulations (2005).
About SHARP Joint Action
The SHARP Joint Action works to strengthen member’s existing capacities as well as supporting improvements in those countries where IHR capability gaps exist. By working together, the partners and the European Commission will ensure a safer environment for all EU citizens.
SHARP Joint Action (2019 – September 2023) is co-funded by the Health Programme of the European Union (80%) and by partners’ own contributions (20%).
SHARP is managed by DG SANTE and the EU Health and Digital Executive Agency – HaDEA (the latter replaced CHAFEA from April 2021).
SHARP Joint Action objectives
SHARP partners work collaboratively to identify and address gaps in the capacity to prevent, detect and respond to biological, chemical and environmental threats to human health.
To support the implementation of Decision No 1082/2013/EU legislation that provides a framework for dealing with serious cross-border threats to health at national, EU and regional level
-To strengthen the resilience and response capacities of health systems
-To ensure coherence and interoperability for preparedness and response planning to health threats
The SHARP JA priorities
- Strengthening the scientific evidence base on effective actions to prevent and respond to cross-border health threats of biological, chemical, environmental and unknown origin
- Exchanging of information and sharing of best practices within and among Member States; -Strengthening preparedness and the implementation of IHR core capacities, supporting Member States in developing standard operating procedures, business continuity plans, and promoting the interoperability of national preparedness planning
- Improving methods, tools and criteria for monitoring, assessment and reporting under Decision1082/2013/EU
- Improving EU Member State coordination as regards different global initiatives, particularly the WHO’s IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework under the Health Emergencies Programme
- Improving the core functions of public health laboratories, including biosafety and biosecurity to ensure systems for the safe referral of clinical specimens for early detection and monitoring of outbreaks, transport in-country and international shipment, which key capacities required under the IHR
- The coordination, in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), of a reference network of European microbiology laboratories specialised in highly pathogenic or newly emerging pathogens to improve laboratory capacity
SHARP deliverables
Take a look at SHARP’s externally published deliverables.
Strengthening IHR capacities for Point of Entry
Interactive training on the European Common Ship Sanitation Database – the digital… Read more Strengthening IHR capacities for Point of Entry150 public health experts and prominent health policy makers meet to bring the European Health Union vision closer
A round up of the final conference for SHARP Joint Action. SHARP Joint… Read more 150 public health experts and prominent health policy makers meet to bring the European Health Union vision closerAn expertly devised workshop on detection and surveillance of public health emergencies
Public health surveillance is the continuous, systematic data collection, analysis, interpretation, and… Read more An expertly devised workshop on detection and surveillance of public health emergenciesSubscribe to SHARP newsletter
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