The Missions of Santé publique France – The National Public Health Agency

The National Public Health Agency, established by Order No. 2016-462 of April 14, 2016, is a public administrative agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Its missions are:

• epidemiological observation and monitoring of the health status of the population;

• monitoring health risks threatening the population;

• health promotion and the reduction of health risks;

• developing prevention and health education;

• preparing for and responding to health threats, alerts, and crises;

• issuing health alerts.

"Within its scope of competence and to carry out its missions, the agency applies expertise consistent with the principles set forth in Article L. 1452-1. Its opinions and recommendations are issued in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 1452-2. Subject to respect for privacy and secrets protected by law, in particular the rules relating to the protection of national defense secrets, its opinions and recommendations are made public.

Mandate of the Working Group

Following a referral to Santé publique France and the National Cancer Institute by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Interministerial Mission for the Fight Against Drugs and Addictive Behaviors, Santé publique France established an ad hoc expert group to develop recommendations regarding alcohol consumption guidelines in France and the resulting prevention measures.

Taking into account current knowledge on the health and social effects of alcohol and the level of consumption at which these effects may occur, and following the example of countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the expert group will propose prevention recommendations that could be promoted to the public regarding alcohol consumption levels that pose the least risk to health.

Santé publique France will provide the expert group with:

• an updated literature review on the levels of alcohol consumption associated with health effects;

• a summary of initiatives from countries that have recently addressed this issue;

• a preliminary epidemiological impact assessment of various alcohol consumption benchmarks.

The recommendations of the ad hoc expert group are expected by the end of February 2017.

Composition of the expert group

This ad hoc expert group will consist of approximately ten members, both French and international, appointed by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Group members serve in their personal capacity and therefore cannot be replaced.

The expertise required within the group must enable the analysis of all elements necessary for formulating recommendations, including societal and communication issues.

Required expertise

General qualifications

• interest in public health initiatives;

• ability to work collaboratively;

• experience participating in expert groups;

• experience in formulating operational recommendations for decision-makers and stakeholders in prevention and health promotion.

Specific skills

• humanities and social sciences, particularly sociology;

• various medical specialties such as general medicine, anesthesiology, occupational medicine, school and university medicine, and addiction medicine/alcoholism;

• public health and epidemiology;

• health prevention and promotion;

• educational sciences;

• health communication sciences.

Functioning of the ad hoc expert group

The ad hoc expert group is established for a period of approximately 6 to 9 months, until the recommendations are finalized (estimated duration). The group is expected to begin its work in mid-September 2016, with the recommendations to be finalized in February 2017.

The chair of this group is appointed from among its members by the Director General.

The group meets one day per month, and as needed to meet the deadline for producing the recommendations.

The workload for members is estimated at a minimum of 10 days.

Members sign a "Confidentiality Agreement and Commitment to Regularly Attend Meetings."

The ad hoc expert group may only deliberate if at least half of its members are present. It issues its opinions by a two-thirds majority of those present.

Any minority opinions, drafted and signed by their authors, are included alongside the recommendations.

It has access to all information held by Santé publique France that is necessary to carry out the requested expert assessment.

The Director General of Santé publique France provides the resources necessary for its operation.

The scientific secretariat of this ad hoc expert group is provided by the Directorate of Prevention and Health Promotion (DPPS) of Santé publique France.

The group may conduct hearings with any individual whose knowledge, information, and experience are deemed necessary for the expert assessment, particularly regarding the feasibility and practicality of the proposed recommendations.

Compensation and Travel Expenses

Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed under the conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for loss of income in the case of self-employed individuals and compensation for time spent participating in meetings and for work performed will be based on the scale established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.

Application Procedures

The application must be submitted by August 20, 2016, to the following address: "candidatures_reperes-alcool@santepubliquefrance.fr".

The application package must include:

• a cover letter stating your professional and personal contact information

• a resume

• a list of works/publications from the past 5 years

• a public declaration of interest to be completed via the application available at http://dpi.santepubliquefrance.fr

Selection Process

Only complete applications will be considered.

The selection of applications for the ad hoc expert group on alcohol consumption guidelines in France will be based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the required skills, an analysis of conflicts of interest, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group to address the issue at hand.

Expressions of interest will be reviewed by Santé publique France’s Internal Ethics Committee.

Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the secretariat of the expert group.

Group members are appointed by decision of the Director General of Santé publique France; the group’s composition is published on the agency’s website.

Staff members of central government agencies, Regional Health Agencies (ARS), and members of the Scientific Council, the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, and the Steering and Dialogue Committee of Santé publique France are not eligible to apply.