MADRID Tens of millions of Europeans have health problems which are partly caused by poverty, DPA quoted experts as saying at a meeting of health ministers from 51 European countries in the Spanish capital Madrid.

The ministers met at a session of the regional committee for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO). The four-day meeting was expected to focus on issues including the impact of poverty on health and the use of alcohol.

Around 165 million Europeans live below the poverty line, according to the WHO. "Poverty and disease form a vicious circle," explained Marc Danzon, regional director for Europe at the who.

Poor people had lower life expectancies, experts said. They were more likely to die as infants, to suffer infections or to use drugs.

The ministers were expected to adopt new action proposals to reduce the impact of poverty on health.