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EuroHealthNet presented its Policy Précis on “promoting and protecting health amidst the rising cost-of-living crisis” at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hearings. The discussions will inform the EESC’s opinions on tackling the loss of purchasing power, growing inequalities, exclusion, and marginalisation across Europe.
Speaking at a European Parliament event on integrating health into the European Semester–the annual framework helping national policies align with EU objectives and legislation–EuroHealthNet emphasised that health is a fundamental right as well as a return on investment. Discussions centred on integrating health indicators into the Semester.
As a member of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance, EuroHealthNet has expressed concerns over restrictions on civil society funding and advocacy focused on environmental and climate action. The Alliance warns that these limitations could undermine civil society’s role in shaping health policies across Europe.
EuroHealthNet joined a call for stronger policies and coordinated efforts to improve cardiovascular health across Europe. This call follows the recent Council Conclusions on Cardiovascular Health.
Ahead of the 2025 Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, WHO and the health community are urging immediate action to tackle air pollution. EuroHealthNet has signed the call to action, and individuals and organisations are encouraged to show their support by signing here.
A new Invest4Health publication examines how Smart Capacitating Investment (SCI) can reshape public health financing. The project tests innovative financing models to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention.
SPRING 3.0 is a new initiative aiming to use play and sport to promote wellbeing and mental health for children, adolescents, and caregivers in southeastern Turkey, focusing on recovery following the earthquake and the Syrian war.
The latest issue of Santé publique France’s journal examines how the COVID-19 pandemic deepened social and territorial health inequalities and calls for inclusive public policies and targeted outreach strategies to ensure equitable access to care.
A study conducted at OsloMet found that social isolation increases the risk of early death by 15%, with lonely men facing an even higher risk.
The German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG) has co-developed a free 90-minute course on climate and mental health for middle school students.
The Irish Institute of Public Health (IPH) has released a series of 2024 activity reports, highlighting its work on alcohol, gambling, tobacco and nicotine products, breastfeeding, and Health Impact Assessment (HIA).
The Trimbos Institute reports that while awareness of alcohol-related harms has increased, less than half of adults know that alcohol use increases the risk of cancer. Misconceptions persist, such as the belief that one glass of wine a day is healthy.
The Flemish Institute for Healthy Living and Sciensano asked smokers about their smoking behaviour and intentions and attempts to stop. The study provides insights into the obstacles to quitting and recommends person-bound budgets to spend freely on six evidence-based cessation measures.
The Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) has received a legal mandate to intensify nationwide efforts against sexual violence targeted at children and young people. The initiative aims to enhance professional training and support institutions in robust protection strategies.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands (RIVM) reports that socially responsible public procurement in the country has lowered greenhouse gas emissions and reduced raw material and water use. However, current efforts are not enough to meet climate targets.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health has introduced a roadmap with 100 measures to reduce emissions and improve sustainability in the health and care sector.
A new report from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) highlights that while most Finns feel safe, trust in political decision-making and healthcare systems has declined and provides practical recommendations to strengthen health equity, trust, and social support.
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR)’s analysis of gender differences in experiences with healthcare shows that women have lower trust in healthcare.

What we are reading...

Access to healthcare A policy paper by Member of the European Parliament Tilly Metz calls for prioritising accessible quality healthcare. It highlights the need to address health inequalities through increased availability and affordability of services, prevention through the One Health approach, stronger climate-health policies, and health security.

Alcohol From May 2026, Ireland will require health warning, calorie content and ingredient labels on alcohol products; the first country to do so – The Lancet Regional Health Europe

Alcohol Two new WHO/Europe reports highlight effective strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm, the first on the role of state-controlled alcohol monopolies and the second on mandatory health warning labels on alcohol products, especially for cancer.

Behavioural science A new EU report shows the transformative role of behavioural insights in policymaking. By integrating behavioural insights early in the policy cycle, policymakers can enhance effectiveness, coherence, and impact across sectors.

Climate change Without mitigation and adaptation measures, climate change could lead to 2.3 million temperature-related deaths in Europe by the end of the century. Southern and Eastern Europe are projected to be most affected - Nature

Commercial determinants Friends of the Earth Europe reveals the key role of agroindustry lobbying in blocking the EU’s pesticide reduction law despite the well-documented risks to health and biodiversity.

Commercial determinants New transparency data reveals a significant increase in the number of meetings that MEPs held with tobacco industry lobbyists - Corporate Europe Observatory

Competitiveness A letter signed by 240 researchers warns the European Commission of the dangers of deregulation, especially regarding climate and sustainability objectives. It argues that the main obstacle to competitiveness is not regulation but rather the lack of investments in renewable energies – The Good Lobby

Education The 2025 Eurydice report on early childhood education finds increasing access to early childhood education, with disparities in universal coverage and in quality of education. Key trends include integrating sustainability education and digital competence in the curricula, and a shift toward structured early learning from childcare.

Gambling A new study from Ireland’s Institute of Public Health found that gambling was documented in 0.6% of suicide cases (2015–2020), though the true number is likely higher due to underreporting – Addictive Behaviors

Health expenditure In 2022, preventive healthcare expenditure accounted for 5.5% of the total healthcare expenditure in the EU (€202 per inhabitant), a 6% decrease compared with 2021, when COVID-19 measures where high - Eurostat

Health management A recent study by EHMA proposes a new definition for “health management’’ by incorporating social, environmental, and economic determinants of health, cross-sector collaboration, and the ‘One Health’ approach – The International Journal of Health Planning and Management

Life expectancy A new Global Burden of Disease study shows that life expectancy improvements in Europe have stalled since 2011. The slowdown is largely driven by rising deaths from cardiovascular diseases and cancer, linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity – The Lancet

Physical activity Regular physical activity increases disease-free years, with the greatest benefits seen among individuals with lower socioeconomic status, smokers, heavy drinkers, and those with depressive symptoms – The Lancet Public Health

Planetary health A recent study examines alternative economic models that prioritise human wellbeing within planetary boundaries, arguing for policies that decouple progress from GDP growth while reducing environmental harm and social inequality – The Lancet Planetary Health

Poverty A report from the European Parliamentary Research Service details the EU's legal basis, policy frameworks, policy responses, and available EU funding to coordinate Member States’ actions and step up efforts to fight poverty.

Sustainability A policy brief from the Institute for European Environmental Policy recommends demand-side measures—such as food labelling, fiscal incentives, and public procurement reforms—to encourage plant-rich diets across EU.

Tobacco Poland approved new taxes on tobacco pouches and vapes, set to be implemented gradually in July and August this year.

Tobacco 16 Member States call for urgent modernisation of the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive in a written statement to the European Commission.

Women’s health The World Economic Forum finds that closing the women’s health gap could add almost 27 million disability-adjusted life years and unlock $400 billion in global GDP annually by 2040.

Health Highlights