Under call for proposals Cooperation Theme 1  Work Programme Health 2009 was published on 28 August 2008.

The overall objective of the Health Theme is to improve the health of European citizens and increase the competitiveness and boost the innovative capacity of European healt hrelated industries and businesses, while addressing global health issues including emerging epidemics. Emphasis will be put on translational research (translation of basic discoveries into clinical applications including scientific validation of experimental results), the development and validation of new therapies, strategies for health, promotion and prevention, child health and healthy ageing, diagnostic tools and medical technologies, as well as sustainable and efficient healthcare systems.

This work programme aims to ensure continuity with the previous work programme and to start new activities within the budgetary constraints. The estimated total budget allocation for work programme 2009 is EUR 609 459 130 drawing from the 2009 budget.

In 2009, Theme 1 'Health' will focus on three main strategic axes: structuring and coordinating research in the context of the European Research Area (ERA), emphasising  translational research and policy-driven research, in line with the specific programme 'Cooperation'.

Furthermore, an ERA-NET will enable integration of national and regional research programmes in the field of HIV/AIDS and should link with the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP).

The focus on translational research is very strong across all activities of the work programme, where the inclusion of clinical research is expected in many topics, both in 'Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health' and in 'Translating research for human health', while 'Optimising the delivery of healthcare' supports the translation of clinical results into clinical practice.

Policy-driven research constitutes a third axis, underpinning public health and regulation. For instance, the research topic on adapting off-patent medicines for children supports the new EC regulation on medicinal products for paediatric use.