| The most important news about health equity, wellbeing, and their determinants. |
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Health Highlights
Welcome to Health Highlights, EuroHealthNet's monthly newsletter. We bring you the most important news and information about health, equity, wellbeing, and their determinants.
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Polish Presidency prioritises youth digital mental health
High-level events advance efforts to address the growing impact of digital technologies
At the Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO Health) on 25 March, EU health ministers underlined the importance of including digital environments into mental health strategies. Ministers want stronger cooperation among Member States and proposed a European catalogue of best practices to ensure mental wellbeing becomes a foundational element of public health across the EU.
On April 7, a new OECD document outlining best practices for supporting children’s mental wellbeing was presented at a dedicated expert meeting. Participants discussed both the risks and opportunities of digital technologies such as using AI-based interventions and wellbeing apps, as well as the need for safe, equitable, and youth-centred digital policy frameworks.
The outcomes of the meetings will inform the Council Conclusions expected in June, which aim to guide integrated EU action on child and adolescent mental health in the digital age.
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Released: New Preparedness Union Strategy and findings of the HERA review
European Commission outlines 30 priority actions to enhance resilience and approves HERA’s central role in health security
The new EU Preparedness Union Strategy sets out 30 actions to better prevent and respond to crises, from pandemics to climate disasters and cyber threats. The Strategy promotes an “all-hazards” and “whole-of-society” approach, proposing measures such as strengthening essential societal functions, establishing an EU Crisis Hub, and improving foresight capabilities.
In parallel, the Commission’s review of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) reaffirms its key role in strengthening EU-level coordination, stockpiling, and pandemic response. The report calls, amongst other things, for a deeper Member State engagement to reinforce Europe’s health security architecture.
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EU sets course to update cohesion policy for current and future needs
Commission proposes “modernisation” of current cohesion policy as Council sets future direction
EU Cohesion Policy helps strengthen economic, social, and territorial cohesion in the European Union, aiming to correct imbalances and inequalities between countries and regions. Under the Polish Presidency, the Council adopted conclusions on cohesion policy post-2027, which highlight the importance of cohesion in addressing EU challenges.
Meanwhile, the Commission is undertaking a mid-term review of the 2021–2027 cohesion programmes. Proposed updates include aligning funding with today’s strategic priorities, such as competitiveness, energy transition, affordable housing, defence, and water resilience. The aim is to finalise reprogramming by 2025 for early 2026 implementation.
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WHO/Europe identifies fast gains in NCD prevention
New guidance highlights interventions that deliver measurable health impacts within a single political cycle
A new paper from WHO/Europe presents 25 proven, cost-effective interventions – or “quick buys” – that can significantly reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) within five years. The quick buys target major risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol harm, and poor diets. The interventions are tailored to help policymakers deliver results within short political terms while accelerating progress toward SDG targets.
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EuroHealthNet Partnership
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Register now! EuroHealthNet's annual seminar will explore how the health argument can advance climate action
Registration has now opened for EuroHealthNet's 2025 Annual Seminar on Climate and Health, taking place in Brussels and online on 11 June. It will focus on three key questions:
- What is the evidence on the impact of climate change on health and health equity?
- What tools and practices are out there for getting everyone on board for climate action?
- How can policy initiatives across sectors and governance levels create a healthier planet?
The seminar will feature distinguished speakers, including Sandra Gallina, Director General of DG SANTE, and Florika Fink-Hooijer, the new Director General of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).
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“The problem is not ageing, but ageing in poor health”
EuroHealthNet published a policy brief on improving healthy ageing policies within the implementation of the European strategy for long-term care. The brief highlights the socioeconomic benefits of prioritising comprehensive and life-cycle approaches to increase years spent in good health.
EuroHealthNet also presented the concept of “Smart Capacitating Investments for healthy ageing” to national long-term care coordinators. The presentation explored financing models prioritising prevention and equity to support healthy ageing. |
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| Civil society urges stronger action on long-term care
EuroHealthNet has joined civil society organisations and trade unions in calling on the European Commission to reaffirm its commitment to the European Care Strategy. The joint statement stresses the need to move beyond workforce concerns and address the full scope of long-term care reform, including prevention and health promotion to reduce care needs, better support for informal carers, improved working conditions, and the establishment of a European Long-Term Care Platform.
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| A call to eradicate child poverty
As a member of the EU Alliance for Investing in Children, EuroHealthNet endorsed recommendations urging the EU to align its policies and budget to end child poverty. The recommendations call on the EU to strengthen the European Child Guarantee and prioritise the issue in the EU’s post-2027 budget and Anti-Poverty Strategy.
The recommendations informed the Alliance’s meeting with the European Commission DG EMPL to discuss strengthening the Child Guarantee by focusing on access to healthcare and public health programmes for healthy food, physical activity, and mental health.
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| Join PSLifestyle's final event on policies for climate-friendly choices
PSLifestyle aims to close the gap between climate awareness and individual action. On 13 May, the project will hold its closing event in Brussels to share insights on the project’s key outcome: the Lifestyle Test. This digital tool supports individual behaviour change and generates data insights to guide policy development.
EuroHealthNet will present four new policy briefs on supportive policies for transitioning to more sustainable and healthy food, transport, housing, and purchasing habits. Please register your interest in attending here.
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EuroHealthNet responds to consultations
Read all our consultation responses here.
Open consultations:
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EuroHealthNet members across Europe step up the fight against tobacco
Across Europe, EuroHealthNet members are taking bold steps to combat tobacco and nicotine use through research, regulation, and public engagement.
To address emerging risks, Sweden has taken regulatory action against 6-methylnicotine, a highly potent substance found in new electronic cigarettes. Hungary has launched a new monitoring system for poisoning and adverse events linked to nicotine products. Addressing the growing use of vapes, Slovenia joined other EU countries in banning flavourings in e-cigarettes, followed by an awareness campaign called "Choose Yourself, Not Smoking!"
On the cessation front, Germany’s “Smoke-Free in May” campaign offers financial incentives to encourage smoking cessation. Similarly, in Flanders, interviews with smokers helped understand smoking behaviour and inform interventions, finding a need for personalised “smoking cessation budgets”. In Wales, machine learning identified youth and adult profiles most in need of smoking cessation support to help tailor professionals’ approaches. Learn about Wallonia’s Tobacco-Free Plan in the latest C’est l’AVIQ magazine, which highlights both health and social equity challenges.
In Bulgaria, new data shows that over a quarter of 13–15-year-olds use tobacco or nicotine products, with use among girls particularly high.
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Trimbos Institute launches Dutch learning network for mental health action
The national learning network supports the sustainable implementation of effective and promising mental health interventions. As part of a broader effort to build a knowledge network for mental health, the initiative brings together experts, project leaders, and stakeholders to share practical insights, strengthen collaboration, and scale up interventions that work.
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A bold new vision for supporting young people who experience(d) care
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published its Corporate Parenting Vision and Plan 2025–2028, which outlines how it will support children and young people who have experienced or are currently living in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or at home with a supervision order.
While PHS does not provide direct services, it holds a legal duty as a “corporate parent”. Actions include promoting inclusive employment practices, supporting apprenticeships, strengthening trauma-informed care, and using data to improve health outcomes.
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More news from the Partnership
- Join our team! EuroHealthNet is hiring a Senior Project Coordinator (7-month maternity cover) to lead our contributions to EU-funded research on environmental health, equity, and wellbeing. Applications close on 9 May.
- EuroHealthNet joined partners of the EU4Health Civil Society Alliance in urging the European Commission to immediately adopt the 2025 EU4Health Work Plan and approve full-year operational funding for health civil society.
- MENTALITY transferred four practices between countries, offering mental health support to migrants, healthcare workers, teachers, and young people. The final report shares insights on how to successfully implement and scale up interventions and provides actionable policy insights.
- Invest4Health’s latest newsletter sets out the progress achieved so far towards mobilising finance models for health promotion and disease prevention.
- The Swedish Public Health Agency has presented a new cross-sectoral structure for creating environments that promote physical activity. The structure sets six national targets and indicators with a focus on children and young people to improve access to safe, inclusive, and movement-friendly spaces and embed physical activity in long-term public health efforts.
- Norway’s Directorate of Health’s data from 2025 Growing Up Profiles show rising alcohol and painkiller use among middle school girls, growing mental health concerns, and gender disparities.
- The Dutch Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, PHAROS, published “The dull colours of health inequality”, exploring how ethnicity, origin and migration background shape health outcomes. It calls on healthcare stakeholders to reflect critically about the role of ethnicity and origin and act for more just and equitable care.
- Recent data from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) shows that, while vaccination coverage in Finland remains generally high, there is a concerning decline in coverage for the second dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine among six-year-olds.
- The Fisabio Foundation coordinates the Spanish contributions to two major EU initiatives: JA PreventNCD, Europe’s largest joint action to tackle non-communicable diseases, and Health4EUKids, focused on reducing childhood obesity.
- Early results from Finland’s 2025 Social Barometer by the Federation for Social Affairs and Health (SOSTE) show that recent cuts to social benefits and healthcare have had the most impact on people on low incomes and older adults. Anxiety and lack of access to medicine, food, and supportive care are becoming more common as a result.
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WHO Member States finalise draft Pandemic Agreement
On 16 April, WHO Member States concluded negotiations on a landmark pandemic agreement. The proposal includes commitments to equitable access to health countermeasures, technology transfer, a skilled global health workforce, and a coordinated financial mechanism. The upcoming World Health Assembly, starting on 19 May, will consider the adoption of the proposal. If adopted, the agreement will represent a major milestone in global health.
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News from the Institutions
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Cardiovascular health on the Parliament’s agenda
The new cross-party MEP Cardiovascular Health Group has been officially launched in the European Parliament, chaired by European Parliament Member (MEP) Romana Jerković (S&D, Croatia).
Coordinated by the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH), the interest group will promote EU-wide action on prevention, early detection, equitable care, and innovation. The group also unveiled “A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap” to guide future policy.
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Reducing the burden of obesity is a WHO/Europe priority
WHO/Europe urges governments to make obesity prevention and management a core part of public health systems.
At a recent WHO Demonstration Platform in Ireland, experts emphasised the importance of a continued focus on changing the obesogenic environment. They called for urgent actions on multidisciplinary integrated care models, early intervention and prevention programmes, anti-stigma training for the workforce, and policies targeting commercial determinants of obesity.
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Environmental resilience through EU and global cooperation
The Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the Commission's proposal to regulate and prevent microplastic pollution from plastic pellets. The regulation sets risk management requirements for operators and maritime carriers.
In parallel, the European Commission and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have strengthened their cooperation. Focusing on intertwined crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, a new €21.5 million cooperation agreement was signed to support global environmental goals, alongside a new Memorandum of Understanding with the European Environment Agency.
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New EU Youth Report and online debate reinforce youth inclusion in policymaking
The European Commission published its EU Youth Report to showcase the progress under the EU Youth Strategy 2022–2024 and reaffirm the EU’s commitment to youth engagement, inclusion, and empowerment. It also launched a new debate on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform, building on the Youth Policy Dialogues and offering more young Europeans an opportunity to shape EU policymaking.
The accompanying Eurobarometer survey shows continued optimism among youth but also concerns around the cost of living, housing, and disinformation.
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What we are reading...
Ageing A new Eurofound report explores how to keep older workers in the labour market for longer, addressing the relevance of healthy ageing programmes. It highlights the important role of care facilities and social support, especially in retaining older women in work.
Cancer A recent update of the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) reveals key trends in cancer across Europe. Lung cancer rates are rising among women while declining in men, stomach cancer shows a steady decrease, and breast cancer incidence continues to climb despite falling mortality.
Cardiovascular health A new meta-analysis of data from nearly 250,000 patients finds that HPV-positive individuals had a 33% higher risk of cardiovascular events than HPV-negative peers – Journals of the American College of Cardiology
Care work A Eurofound report reveals that 6.8 million people in the EU, many of them migrant women, work in undeclared care roles with poor social protections and a high risk of exploitation. The report calls for policies that go beyond enforcement to address structural barriers to formalisation and improve working conditions.
Child health The Council and European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a new regulation banning and restricting harmful chemicals in children’s toys. The new regulation also introduces a digital product passport and enables the Commission to remove toys from the market when new risks emerge.
Child health The European Observatory highlights how five European countries are improving health promotion and prevention for vulnerable children and adolescents. It recommends cross-sector collaboration, integrated data systems, and targeted outreach to overcome access barriers.
Climate change Climate action not only makes economic sense, but also yields benefits beyond growing GDP, such as better health, improved energy security and access, and poverty reduction - OECD–UNDP
Commercial determinants Corporate lobbying and lack of transparency have stalled action on key prevention measures in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The European Commission must restore public trust by proposing the promised legislation and ensuring public health guides EU policymaking – The Lancet Regional Health Europe
Commercial determinants Junk food advertising bans on public spaces are being delayed, weakened, or derailed by industry lobbying across the UK. Companies exploit legal loopholes and push voluntary codes to dilute efforts - BMJ
Commercial determinants France has officially updated the Nutri-Score algorithm to better reflect current science and dietary guidelines. Companies have until 2027 to implement the changes - Santé publique France
Convergence The European Commission’s Social Convergence Framework analysis shows challenges in ten Member States in social inclusion, education, and labour market integration.
Education The Education Policy Institute finds that higher school absence among disadvantaged children is widening the learning gap in the UK. It calls for earlier support in education, better teacher training on special needs, improved school admissions, and stronger mental health services in schools.
Employment Two COFACE-produced working papers explore the drivers behind older workers' retirement patterns and the role of job skills in supporting people with health limitations to stay in work.
Foresight The European Commission’s Polycrisis Exploration Workshop toolkit helps policymakers and organisations navigate today’s interconnected risks. It supports a participatory format and group dialogue to map cascading crises, build strategic foresight, and identify effective policy responses.
Health data The European Commission has published the open-source code of the HealthData@EU Central Platform, supporting the secondary use of health data for research, policy, and innovation. The release enables Member States to connect national systems and reinforces transparency, interoperability, and secure data sharing in the European Health Data Space.
Homelessness A correspondence in The Lancet Public Health welcomes Italy’s new law granting access to public primary healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. However, it argues that effective implementation requires rethinking traditional care models by, for instance, offering mobile units and discharge shelters and skilled cross-sector collaboration.
Local government The 2024–2025 EIB Municipalities Survey reveals that over half of EU municipalities plan to significantly increase investments in climate action and social infrastructure. However, many face barriers such as financing gaps and complex regulations.
Mental health New WHO guidance outlines urgently needed reforms to improve global mental healthcare access and quality. It calls for rights-based, person-centred services and holistic approaches that address social determinants of health.
Nutrition A 30-year study of over 100,000 adults found that those following healthy dietary patterns had significantly higher odds of ageing well, free of chronic disease, with better cognitive, physical, and mental health. Diets rich in plant-based foods and low in processed foods were most beneficial – Nature
Nutrition Schools in Spain are now required to serve fruit, vegetables, and fish weekly - The Guardian
Obesity A new analysis of 81 trials finds childhood obesity prevention interventions promoting physical activity (with or without healthy eating) generally benefit all groups equally, but may be slightly more effective in boys aged 5–11 – eClinicalMedicine
Social determinants A new survey from the Royal College of Physicians reveals a rise in patients presenting with illnesses like scabies and erysipelas, driven by poor housing, nutrition, and heating. Nearly half of doctors surveyed say over 50% of their workload is linked to social factors – The Guardian
Social media A new Joint Research Centre report summarises expert roundtables on how social media use affects minors’ mental and physical health. It highlights scientific evidence and recommends improved content moderation, robust age verification, awareness raising, and better collaboration with researchers.
Vapes After the UK government announced a ban on disposable vapes, vaping rates among young people stabilised and the use of disposables dropped sharply. However, those who use disposable vapes may switch to reusable ones instead of quitting - Addiction
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Events
- Shifting the focus of health and economic policies: Investing for sustainable health and wellbeing – 24 April, online (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- WHO/EURO European Immunization Week 2025 – 27 April–3 May 2025
- EuroHealthNet Capacity Building Workshop - Ethics in health promotion: how to implement ethical frameworks in public health institutes (members-only) - 28 April, online
- European Nutritional Care Policy Summit – 5-6 May, Athens (Greece)
- BeWell project spotlight series: Closing the digital skills gap for the European health and care workforce – 6 May, online
- Final event of the Urban Health Cluster: New Evidence for Urban Health Policies – 8 May, Brussels (Belgium) (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- 2025 Wellbeing Economy Forum – 8-9 May, Reykjavík (Iceland) (EuroHealthNet co-hosting and speaking)
- European Public Health Week - Innovation for Resilience: Shaping a Sustainable Future – 12-16 May, Brussels (Belgium) and online
- Call for event submission open (Deadline 5 May)
- From Data to Action: Empowering Policies for Sustainable Choices – PSLifestyle final conference – 13 May, Brussels (Belgium)
- European Mental Health Week – 19-25 May
- EuroHealthNet Country Exchange Visit: Social Participation and Youth Engagement for Better Health (members-only) – 3-4 June, Ljubljana (Slovenia)
- EU Green Week 2025: Circular solutions for a competitive EU – 3-5 June, Brussels (Belgium)
- The 2025 European Sustainable Energy Week – 10-12 June, Brussels (Belgium) and online
- EuroHealthNet Annual Seminar 2025: Climate change and health – 11 June, Brussels (Belgium) and online
- EuroHealthNet General Council Meeting (members-only) – 12-13 June, Brussels (Belgium)
- European Social Services Conference: Where Care Meets Tech – 22-25 June, Aarhus (Denmark)
- 27th Austrian Health Promotion Conference on “Health for all! Health promotion – the path to the people” – 26 June, Salzburg (Austria) (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- 2nd World Conference on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health – 2-5 September, Lisbon (Portugal)
- European Forum for Primary Care Conference – 7-9 September, Vienna (Austria)
- Call for abstracts extended (Deadline 1 May) (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- European Health Forum Gastein – 30 September – 3 October, Gastein (Austria), (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- World Health Summit: Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World – 12-14 October, Berlin (Germany) and online
- 18th European Public Health Conference: Investing for health and well-being – 12-14 November, Helsinki (Finland)
- Call for abstracts open (Deadline 1 May)
- European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology – 19-21 November, Warsaw (Poland) and online
- Call for abstracts open (Deadline 14 May)
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In case you missed it...
- EU Civil Society Week: Strengthening Cohesion and Participation in Polarised Societies – 17-20 March (Recordings and reports available here)
- JA PreventNCD webinar: Health promotion, a catalyst for improving democracy – 26 March (Report and recording available here) (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU: Environment Council meeting - 27 March (Report and recording available here)
- Wellbeing Economy Forum - The Wellbeing Revolution documentary (Part 1 and Part 2 available)
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EuroHealthNet is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of EuroHealthNet only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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