The European Commission has presented the second EU health prize for journalists in print and on-line articles, which aims to stimulate qualified journalism and to underlight the importance of health, safety and prevention.

The prize is part of the 'Europe for Patients' campaign launched in September 2008. It aims to stimulate and reward high-quality journalism that raises awareness of healthcare and patients' rights issues. This year's prize follows on from the first health prize for journalists which attracted over 460 articles from journalists from all across the European Union.

Journalists are invited to submit articles published in print or on-line publications between 16 June 2009 and 01 July 2010 using an on-line entry form. The competition closes at midnight on 01 July 2010.

The winners of European Health Journalism Prize will be chosen as follows: in each EU country, a national jury composed of journalists and public health experts, chaired by the European Commission, will select one national finalist. An EU jury will then select three EU level winners among the 27 finalists. Once the names of the national and EU jury members are confirmed, they will be made available on the Journalist Prize website.

The winners will receive cash prizes of 5.000 € for first place, 3.000 € for second and 2.000 € for third. All national finalists will be invited to Brussels in autumn 2010 to participate in a media seminar on EU health issues. The EU Health Prize for journalists was launched for the first time in 2009.

Last year's first place winner was Estelle Saget (France) with an article titled "Schizophrenia explained to family and friends", published in "L'Express". Audrė Srėbalienė (Lithuania) won second prize with her article "Blood sister", published in "Savaitinis zurnalas" and Emilia Chiscop (Romania) won third prize with the article "Moving tale of will and courage", published in "Ziarul de Iaşi".

The EU health prize for journalists and the Europe for Patients Campaign are funded under the Second Community Health Programme 2008-2013. Further details on the rules and conditions are available on the website of the contest.