European Conference Raises Urgency to Stop Malnutrition

Malnutrition remains a highly prevalent and neglected problem
across Europe. Yet a move from Malnutrition to Wellnutrition can
easily be made by delivering basic standards of care. A European
conference "From Malnutrition to Wellnutrion" on 22 November in
Brussels brings together a wide group of stakeholders to raise
awareness about malnutrition and find ways to stop the time bomb
facing Europe.

During the Finnish EU presidency, the European Nutrition for
Health Alliance (ENHA) will host on 22 November at Brussels' Meridien
Hotel, Carrefour de l'Europe, its second conference on Malnutrition.
For this event, ENHA is partnering with the European Nursing
Directors' Association.

The issue of malnutrition was already raised during the
Netherland's EU presidency conference in The Hague in 2004, and the EU
UK Presidency conference in London in 2005.

The conference brings together a wide group of stakeholders from
different areas of health, ageing and nutrition across Europe.

Stop malnutrition now

The one-day conference has a simple objective: to stop
malnutrition and raise awareness of the importance of 'wellnutrition'
in all clinical and community settings.

The President of the ENHA, Professor Jean-Pierre Baeyens hopes the
conference will work as a catalyst to build an active nutrition and
health platform. It should turn recommendations into action at both
the EU and national levels.

"There is more recognition about Malnutrition in Europe but it is
still not enough. It is simply unacceptable to neglect nutritional
care in the 21st century", Professor Jean-Pierre Baeyens says.

From Malnutrition to Wellnutrition will be chaired by Mrs. Heidi
Hautala, a former Member of the European Parliament and a member of
Parliament in Finland. The conference will be opened by the Finnish
Minister for Health and Social Affairs, Mrs. Liisa Hyssala.

Please visit www.stopmalnutrition.com for more information on the
conference, the programme and the activities of the European Nutrition
for Health Alliance. Attendance of the conference is free.

Invitation to the members of the press

ENHA warmly welcomes the members of the press to the conference. A
press lunch will be organised on 22 November at Brussels' Meridien
Hotel, Carrefour de l'Europe starting at 13 o'clock. Press Lunch is
hosted by the President of the ENHA, Professor Jean-Pierre Baeyens.

We kindly ask the members of the press to register for the
conference and/or the press lunch in the following web address:
www.stopmalnutrition.com/register or by phone +358 400 630 063.

About the European Nutrition for Health Alliance

The Alliance is chaired by Professor Jean-Pierre Baeyens,
President Clinical Section of the International Association of
Gerontology, European Region, Chair of the EU-Policy group and
treasurer of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society). Professor
Claude Pichard, Chair of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition
and Metabolism (ESPEN), is the co-Chair. The Alliance also includes
representatives from:

-- International Longevity Centre-UK

-- Association Internationale de la Mutualite

-- European Hospital and Healthcare Federation

-- De Friesland Health Insurance

-- Former MEPs and Members of national parliaments

-- Suppliers of clinical nutrition products

The aim of the conference is to bridge across different
professions and sectors to tackle, in a cohesive and comprehensive
manner, the issues raised by malnutrition.