Research and public health at the European level: to examine the ways and means by which research priorities in the field of public health at the European level 
can be identified, taking into account the interaction and needs of stakeholders – policy-makers, the scientific community and end users, and how research 
outcomes can be best integrated into the policy process.   
  
Objectives of the SPHERE study:  
Create discussion on public health research with researchers, practitioners, research funders, policy makers, and wider stakeholders   
Review performance of past public health research   
Reflect on FP6 and assess future opportunities   
Give attention to accession countries and global trends   
Strengthen networks, including access and dissemination through web pages   
Discuss relevant findings with stakeholders and wider communities   
Prepare publications 
            

We have now completed and circulated the first report, the Preliminary Assessment, widely throughout the European Public Health community for comment. Currently, 
the draft of this report is in circulation for comment, feedback and suggestions which we will collate and use to improve and further complete the report. This 
report combines information on each of the work packages and summarises the information on priorities and structuring public health research in Europe. The 
final product will be produced at the end of 2007 which will accurately ‘map’ Public Health Research in Europe.  
  
SPHERE recently had a strong presence at the annual EUPHA Public Health Conference, which was held in November, in Montreux. This was our busiest event to 
date and we conducted two workshops, as well as holding a stand. Much interest was generated from conference participants about our work to date, as well as the 
future direction the project is likely to take. For more information about this, please search the “Conferences and Workshop” page.  
  
Phase one of the project, primarily involving information collection, was completed in June 2006. The results of the final reports of the literature reviews 
of the specialised public health topics have been submitted to the European Commission as well as being presented and discussed at the Montreux Workshop and 
these will be published in the August’s edition of the EUPHA supplementary journal.  
  
The partners responsible for the ‘structural’ work-packages have completed their surveys of National Organisations and Institutions; responses to these 
have been analysed and the results collated. The Preliminary Assessment which includes a summary of all work done is currently out for comment on by public health 
professionals in Europe.   
  
At the end of June 2006, all partners completed reports of their progress to date, and these have been collated by the coordination team for submission to the 
European Commission. The deliverables and milestones in the first phase of the project have been met on time and the report being submitted is complete with 
all objectives to date and a comprehensive account of public health research in Europe at the present time.   
  
Throughout the project, partners have continued to both create new, and further strengthen existing networks, both internally within the project, and 
externally with public health professionals. Our on-line forum has proved successful in increasing facilitation and communication between partners. Partners 
use this forum to post drafts of their work for comments and feedback from peers. We also have a newsletter that is circulated to our partners with the latest updates 
on management, administration and financial issues as well as updates on partners work and dissemination activities.   
  
Framework Program 6 is drawing to a close and the text for Framework Program 7 is now available for comment. As part of SPHERE, we will be responding to the proposed 
text and submitting a document calling for increased funding for public health research, in particular for projects which include collaboration of European 
partners from different member states.