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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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State of the Union 2025: Commission outlines priorities for the year ahead
Among priorities on defence and competitiveness, von der Leyen highlights affordability, social fairness, climate adaptation, and global health resilience
On 10 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament, setting out priorities for the year ahead. She emphasised affordability, confirming initiatives on housing, food, energy and transport. This includes a European Affordable Housing Plan, new rules on short-term rentals, an EU Housing Summit, revisions to state aid rules, and a ‘Buy European Food’ initiative.
Von der Leyen also highlighted forthcoming actions on poverty reduction and job quality and stressed the importance of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. On health, she proposed a Global Health Resilience initiative to counter disinformation and reinforce EU leadership in global health. Additionally, she signalled potential restrictions on children’s access to social media to protect them from addictive content, online bullying, adult material, and the promotion of self-harm. Read EuroHealthNet’s reaction here.
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2025 Strategic Foresight Report: ‘Resilience 2.0’ for the EU
Foresight report highlights pressures on wellbeing, health, democracy, and competitiveness
The European Commission has published its 2025 Strategic Foresight Report. This year’s edition introduces ‘Resilience 2.0,’ a framework to guide the EU through 2040 and beyond. It highlights seven megatrends that are putting mounting pressures on competitiveness, technology governance, democracy, and on people’s health and wellbeing. Widening inequalities are marked as one of seven megatrends requiring urgent action. The report lines up growing isolation, loneliness, an extreme increase in mental health problems amongst young people, and rising rates of NCDs as contributing to future health, social, and economic uncertainties, and tensions – if left unchecked.
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WHO calls for action on food taxes
Health taxes on food is a powerful tool for healthier food environments and reduced NCDs
WHO Europe’s policy brief on food taxes outlines measures and design principles—aligning tax bases with nutrient profile models, strong monitoring, and protection from industry interference—to create fairer food environments. This aligns with a recent Lancet article, which showed uneven progress on reducing NCD mortality and stressed the need for population-level prevention. Before the Fourth United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, WHO urges firm commitments on health taxes.
EuroHealthNet spoke at the launch event. Well-designed fiscal policies can make nutritious food more affordable and accessible and discourage the consumption of unhealthy alternatives, thereby tackling inequalities in food environments and dietary outcomes.
Taxing unhealthy products, both improve health and generate revenue that can be reinvested, as proposed in WHO's new report Saving lives, spending less: the global investment case for noncommunicable diseases
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EuroHealthNet Partnership
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Join the launch of EuroHealthNet’s landmark report on social inequalities in health
On 25 and 26 September, EuroHealthnet will launch ’Social inequalities in health in the EU’, trends study developed with the Centre for Health Equity Analytics (CHAIN). The report offers the most detailed picture to date of health inequalities in health and mental health outcomes within and across European countries, along with policy recommendations. The launch includes a live-streamed debate in the European Parliament and a webinar on country-level data and measures. Register now!
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EuroHealthNet and Professor Sir Michael Marmot address European Parliament SANT Committee
During the exchange, on the morning of 25 September, EuroHealthNet and Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the Institute for Health Equity, will present the findings of the new report on social inequalities in health and discuss how the SANT Committee and the wider European Parliament can take these forward. The meeting starts at 9.00 CEST, and a live stream will be available.
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Watch: How can schools protect children amidst heat waves?
The video, part of EuroHealthNet’s new series on Climate, Health, and the Built Environment, highlights how IES Los Castillos high school in Alcorcón, Spain, is adapting its facilities to protect students’ health and learning amidst rising temperatures. The video was produced in collaboration with the Spanish Ministries of Health and Education. It raises awareness on the need for an EU wide strategy on climate and health.
The next video in the series will be launched at the European Health Forum Gastein and will focus on creating climate-neutral healthcare facilities in Austria.
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Schools4Health policy brief: Green and healthy schools for a sustainable future
The latest Schools4Health policy brief, developed by EuroHealthNet, shows how integrating health and sustainability in schools can create a ‘triple win’: improving student wellbeing, promoting equity, and supporting the planet. It urges education systems to address these agendas together, rather than in isolation, to maximise their impact.
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EuroHealthNet responds to consultations
Read all our consultation responses here.
Open consultations:
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Tuscany steps up action for children and young people
The Tuscany Regional Council has established a new Regional Committee for Children, Adolescents, Youth, and Families that will bring together institutions, health and social services, academia, and civil society to promote integrated approaches to child protection and participation. Alongside this, the Region signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Save the Children to tackle educational poverty, prevent school dropout, and promote inclusion for disadvantaged minors.
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Health organisations urge stronger revision of the European Union Tobacco Excise Directive
European health organisations—including EuroHealthNet—are calling on Member States to support a stronger revision of the European Union Tobacco Excise Directive. Their joint letter sets out eight concrete policy recommendations to accelerate tobacco and nicotine control, including harmonising the tax base across all tobacco and nicotine products to close price gaps and reduce consumption. The signatories urge ambitious, equity-focused taxation that protects young people, discourages initiation, supports quitting, and secures sustainable revenues for health promotion.
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Spain advances tobacco control
Spain’s Ministry of Health has led the approval of a new draft law strengthening tobacco control, as part of the 2024–2027 Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Control Plan. The proposal bans the sale of single-use e-cigarettes, prohibits tobacco and related product use by minors, and extends smoke-free areas to bar terraces, playgrounds, transport hubs and cultural venues. It also restricts all forms of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and establishes a new Tobacco Prevention Observatory.
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Mental health monitoring across the life course
New data from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) shows youth mental health is worsening in the Netherlands, with rising loneliness, stress, and suicidal thoughts. GP visits for suicide are now 70% higher than before COVID-19. Adults report stable levels overall, though more visit GPs for fatigue and concentration problems.
In parallel, a survey by the Public Health Agency of Sweden reports that 80–90% of people aged 65 or above in Sweden have good mental wellbeing. However, good mental wellbeing is unevenly distributed within the age group, with vulnerable groups such as women, the foreign-born and those with illness or financial difficulties facing higher levels of anxiety and distress.
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More news from the Partnership
- On 6 September, EuroHealthNet met with the Social and Labour Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate to discuss EuroHealthNet's work on Wellbeing Economy.
- The Prolepsis Institute reports that since 2022, 17,000 parents and teachers in Greece and the diaspora have taken part in the ‘I Care About My Child’ initiative. It offers free online seminars and workshops promoting children’s and families’ mental health.
- A new Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Plan from Public Health Wales and partners aims to identify and treat up to 70,000 people with high blood pressure, preventing over 1,000 heart attacks and strokes in three years. The plan could save nearly £18m for the NHS and social care, while tackling inequalities as CVD disproportionately affects deprived communities.
- Slovenia’s National Institute of Public Health and Ministry of Health have relaunched their campaign ’Choose your energy. Get good energy without energy drinks’. This edition targets adolescents, raising awareness of the health risks of energy drinks and promoting healthier alternatives, such as good sleep, exercise, and balanced nutrition.
- Pharos, the Dutch national expertise centre on health disparities, has released two new resources for newcomers. A multilingual brochure on stress helps refugees recognise symptoms, seek support, and understand the Dutch healthcare system. A Healthy Integration module provides simple teaching materials for teachers and volunteers, supporting newcomers to navigate healthcare while strengthening language skills.
- A new report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health shows that only half of adults meet physical activity guidelines and the progress has stalled since 2014. Despite a slight rise since 2008, targets for 2030 appear out of reach.
- A new study by the Romanian National Institute of Public Health and WHO highlights barriers to childhood vaccination in rural and semi-urban areas: missed reminders, low health literacy, lack of accessible information, and stigma. The report also points to good practices, such as outreach by community health mediators, empathetic communication, tailored information materials, and stronger partnerships with community leaders.
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News from the institutions
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MEPs push for more decisive EU action on climate and health
At the final plenary in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament called for stronger EU action to tackle the health impacts of climate change. In response to record heatwaves and wildfires, they urged investment in climate-resilient housing, infrastructure, and health systems to strengthen preparedness and adaptation. Members from the S&D and EPP groups also advocated to reinstate a dedicated EU4Health budget to keep public health high on the EU agenda.
In parallel, EU environment ministers met in Brussels and agreed on a proposed amendment to the European Climate Law setting a binding 90% net greenhouse gas reduction target by 2040. Ministers also adopted a statement of intent to submit a strengthened EU Nationally Determined Contribution ahead of COP30.
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EU health ministers set course for stronger preparedness
At their informal meeting in Copenhagen on 15 and 16 September, hosted by the Danish Presidency of the Council, EU health ministers discussed the urgency to strengthen Europe’s preparedness for cross-border health threats. Discussions focused on securing supplies of critical medicines, boosting Europe’s life sciences sector to deliver innovative treatments, and coordinating responses to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The exchanges will feed into European Commission proposals on an EU Life Sciences Strategy, which was launched in July 2025.
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Closing the gaps: New WHO Atlas calls for urgent action on mental health
The WHO Mental Health Atlas 2024 highlights both progress and persistent gaps. Since the pandemic, more countries have adopted rights-based policies, improved preparedness for psychosocial support in emergencies, and expanded tele-mental health and suicide prevention.
Yet resources remain stagnant: mental health still accounts for just 2% of health budgets, and there is a median of one specialist per 10,000 people. In Europe, 15.4% of the population lived with a mental disorder in 2021, up from 14% twenty years earlier, and community-based care and integration into primary health systems remain limited. Without more substantial investment, leadership, and accountability, countries will remain off track to meet global mental health targets. The data is accompanied by a global publication of a call to action.
In parallel, a new Eurofound report on mental health shows suicide is the main cause of death for 15–29-year-olds in the EU, accounting for 18.9% of deaths in 2021. Poor mental health costs the EU 11.1 million years of life lost in 2021, mainly from depression and anxiety.
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EESC calls for a European Observatory on Commercial Determinants of Health
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has debated an own-initiative opinion on the commercial determinants of health at its plenary (17–18 September 2025). The opinion spotlights how industry tactics—from aggressive marketing to policy lobbying—undermine population health and prevention. It calls for a comprehensive, rights-based response, including a European Observatory on Commercial Determinants of Health under the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, a rigorous “healthy business” label, and stronger financing for prevention in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034).
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Commission issues guidelines on critical infrastructure resilience
The European Commission has issued guidelines to support Member States in applying the Critical Entities Resilience Directive for 11 sectors, including energy, transport, food, water and health. As part of the ProtectEU internal security strategy, the measures aim to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure essential services remain operational during natural hazards, terrorism, or public health emergencies.
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Parliament adopts public health priorities for the 2026 EU budget
The European Parliament’s Public Health Committee adopted its opinion on the 2026 EU budget, urging stronger investment in resilient, accessible, and affordable health systems, with priorities including the European Health Data Space, cancer, mental health, preparedness, prevention, and antimicrobial resistance. Members welcomed the 17.6% rise for EU4Health but opposed a €97.3 million cut, calling to align funds with health goals, expand telemedicine in remote regions, protect research, upgrade agencies, and support civil society.
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What we are reading...
AI A Guardian report explores the mental health impacts of chatbots and the risks of unintended consequences in future super-intelligent AI systems.
Air pollution The World Meteorological Organization highlights the close links between climate change and air quality and urges integrated action to protect health, ecosystems, and economies. The rising particulate matter pollution from transport, industry, agriculture, wildfires and desert dust remains the leading health hazard.
Alcohol According to Denmark’s Ministry of the Interior and Health, from October 2025, alcohol must not be displayed near checkouts, snacks, toys, or fruit and vegetable sections to limit young people’s exposure and reduce impulse purchases.
Cardiovascular A clinical consensus statement by the European Society of Cardiology focuses on the interaction between mental health and cardiovascular disease and calls for cultural shift towards integrated, multidisciplinary care.
Child obesity UNICEF’s 'Feeding Profit' report warns that, for the first time, global childhood obesity has overtaken underweight. It highlights how profit-driven food environments fuel health inequities and poor nutrition. The report outlines eight policy recommendations to create healthier food systems for children.
Climate change WHO has published new technical guidance on the health and productivity risks of heat stress. The report calls for occupational heat action plans and coordinated measures to protect workers as global temperatures rise.
Deregulation More than 470 civil society organisations, trade unions and public interest groups issued a joint statement to EU leaders warning that planned regulation rollbacks in corporate accountability, chemicals regulation, climate targets, digital rights, and labour protections risk undermining protections for health, rights and the environment - Politico
E-cigarettes The Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has opened an investigation into Snapchat for possible breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The case concerns allegations that the platform allowed minors to buy e-cigarettes - Euronews
Energy drinks The UK government has launched a 12-week consultation on proposals to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. The move responds to evidence linking the drinks to disrupted sleep, anxiety, poor concentration and obesity.
Employment A new analysis by the European Commission examines employment and social developments in Europe in 2025. It highlights women, older people, and migrants as the largest groups affected with barriers such as care responsibilities, early retirement, and skills recognition.
EU4Health The civil society alliance urges President von der Leyen to adopt the 2025 work programme and restore full-year operating grants.
Food labelling Two transparency groups are suing the European Commission for secrecy over a shelved EU-wide nutrition label plan.
Food poverty In 2024, 8.5% of EU citizens could not afford a meal with meat, fish or a vegetarian equivalent every second day, down from 9.5% in 2023. Rates were much higher among people at risk of poverty (19.4%) – Eurostat
Fossil fuels A new global report documents how fossil fuels harm human health across their entire lifecycle, from extraction to combustion, and across all stages of life, from pregnancy to old age - Global Climate and Health Alliance
Housing Two new Lancet papers explore housing as a social determinant of health. The first examines how poor housing systems drive health inequalities and poor outcomes. The second highlights how climate change is making unsafe housing more hazardous.
Housing Eurostat reports that over one in five people in the EU are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with children hardest hit. Around 9% cannot keep their homes adequately warm, highlighting stark inequalities across member states.
Menstrual hygiene From January 2026, Czech schools must provide free menstrual products for girls aged nine and above. The Czech Republic is among the first EU countries to enshrine this in law – Prague Daily
Noncommunicable diseases A report by NCD alliance highlights the vast funding gap in essential NCD care. To achieve universal coverage of 13 key NCD services, countries should allocate 1.1–1.7% of GNI, yet most spend only 0.26–0.46%.
School meals UCL/IIPP’s new report, ' A Mission-Oriented Approach to School Meals,' argues that school meals can drive healthier diets, fairer food systems, and local growth.
Nicotine pouches The BMJ reports France will ban nicotine pouches, gums and pearls from 1 April 2026.
Physical Activity: Whole-of-school approach to the promotion of physical activity: using research, policy and practice to understand system’s needs and structures
Tech-facilitated VAW The Lancet Regional Health – Europe outlines the unique role of health providers in addressing technology-facilitated violence against women.
Tobacco A group of European health organisations has called on Member States to support a stronger revision of the EU Tobacco Excise Directive. The letter proposes eight concrete policy recommendations, including harmonising the tax base across all tobacco and nicotine products.
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Events
- WHO/Europe: Marketing bans: the role of advertising in alcohol consumption – 24 September, online
- Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly: On the road to 2025 - 25 September
- Launch of the EuroHealthNet-CHAIN report on social inequalities in health – 25,26 September, Brussels
- World Heart Day: Webinar on EU Cardiovascular Health Plan – 29 September
- BEST-COST workshop: healthiar R package – 29 September and 1 October. online
- European Health Forum Gastein – 30 September–3 October, Gastein (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- Third hearing of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health - 2 October
- PHAM Urgency and agency for system change – 7-10 October EuroHealthNet speaking;
- World Health Summit: Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World – 12-14 October, Berlin and online
- European Conference on Tobacco Control – 22-24 October, Belgrade Call for abstracts open (Deadline: 1 October)
- Ireland’s Institute of Public Health - Physical Activity in Later Life: Staying active in an online world – 23 October, online
- 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe - 28–30 October
- World Congress on Mental Health - “Mental Health and Social Sustainability: A Whole Society and Community Based Approach – 30 October-1 November, Barcelos
- 18th European Public Health Conference: Investing for health and well-being – 12-14 November, Helsinki (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- 2nd International Meeting of Arts Prescribing in HealthCare – 22-26 April 2026, Olympus Riviera Call for abstracts open (Deadline: 1 October)
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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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