| 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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Commission finds EU tobacco rules no longer fully fit for purpose
Evaluation highlights progress and regulatory gaps ahead of legislative revision
The European Commission has published its evaluation of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive. It concludes that EU tobacco control legislation has contributed to declining smoking rates and tobacco-related mortality across the Union. However, the framework has not fully adapted to market developments. The evaluation identifies gaps in coverage of newer nicotine products, including vapes; weaknesses in flavour rules and product definitions; inconsistencies in labelling requirements; and limitations in addressing modern advertising practices.
Importantly, it recognises the health harms associated with newer nicotine products, particularly for young people, and questions their role as cessation or harm-reduction tools. The evaluation will inform an upcoming public consultation ahead of a planned revision of the EU tobacco control framework expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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European Parliament Budget Committee adopts position on the EU long-term budget
Calls for earmarking funds for health and warns against diluting health priorities
On 15 April, the European Parliament’s Budget Committee adopted its interim position on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Committee members reaffirmed health as a priority and underlined that the objectives of the current EU4Health programme must not be diluted in the future budget. While the report does not call for a standalone EU4Health programme, it calls for a protected health budget, with 10 billion EUR earmarked for health objectives in the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
The position also calls for long-term, predictable funding for civil society, and states that the ESF+ (European Social Funds) must remain a stand-alone programme with its own, separate budget to support social inclusion, employment, education, skills, and equal opportunities. The final vote in Plenary is scheduled for 29 April.
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A harmonised approach to protect children in the online world
New EU measures for child safety online come alongside calls to move beyond bans towards safer digital environments
The European Commission's new EU age-verification app is ready for deployment. The app enables users to verify their age online and supports the implementation of protections for minors under the Digital Services Act. All Member States can now begin customising the app for national rollout, while several are already piloting integration into digital identity wallets. At the same time, the Commission’s Special panel on child safety online met for the second time to examine different approaches to protecting minors online. Their recommendations are expected by summer 2026.
A new statement from the EuroHealthNet Thematic Working Group on Mental Health calls for a broader response beyond social media bans. It highlights the need for safe-by-design platforms, digital literacy, better monitoring, and stronger enforcement to support children’s mental health in digital environments.
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Digital health equity gaps persist across Europe
WHO/Europe identifies gaps in infrastructure, governance, and evaluation frameworks
A new scoping review led by WHO/Europe and Public Health Wales finds that people with greater health needs and language barriers continue to face barriers to digital health services due to limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and services not being adapted to diverse needs.
The review concludes that frameworks for regulation, implementation, and evaluation still rarely include operational standards to support equitable access and calls for an equity-by-design approach across the digital health life cycle, in line with the WHO Regional Digital Health Action Plan.
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EuroHealthNet Partnership
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EuroHealthNet celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion with an Annual Seminar on digital health
EuroHealthNet’s 2026 Annual Seminar will explore how to ensure that rapid digital and AI transformations promote health equity rather than amplify existing gaps. Featuring speakers from WHO/Europe, OECD, European Commission, and national health authorities, the seminar will focus on strategic considerations as well as promising initiatives.
The seminar will take place on the afternoon of June 1st and is kindly hosted by the Polish Institute of Public Health in Warsaw. Registration for in-person and online participation has now opened.
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Healthy diets by design: EU rules and investments that protect health
On 21 April, EuroHealthNet partnered with the European Parliament Interest Group on Health Inequalities, Prevention, and Risk Factors, FEAST, and the EAT Foundation to convene a policy dialogue on EU rules and investments to support healthier food environments at the European Parliament.
Bringing together Parliament members, European Commission representatives, national authorities, researchers, and civil society, the discussion highlighted the need for stronger, equity-focused prevention policies to reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases and inequalities, and examined how tools such as taxation, public procurement, food labelling, and the next long-term EU budget can help make healthy diets more affordable, accessible, and sustainable.
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EuroHealthNet members exchange on practices for healthy ageing
On 26 and 27 March, EuroHealthNet and the Veneto Region organised a members-only Country Exchange Visit in Venice and Padova on active and healthy ageing. Participants discussed integrated approaches to health, social, and community care that align with EU and WHO priorities. A report will follow shortly.
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How a Wellbeing Economy can end poverty
EuroHealthNet spoke at the Wellbeing Economy Forum on 16 and 17 April in Reykjavik, moderating a panel exploring how a wellbeing economy can help reduce poverty through fiscal policies, social investment, housing inclusion, and aligning health and climate agendas. In a video address, the European Commission provided a peek into its new Anti-Poverty Strategy, to be released on May 6th.
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EuroHealthNet’s new working group on the commercial determinants of health
EuroHealthNet members are strengthening their collective capacity to address the commercial determinants of health through a new Thematic Working Group (TWIG). Led by Trimbos Institute and Santé Publique France, the group supports policy intelligence, practical tools, and stronger translation of evidence into policy and implementation.
On 29 April, WHO/Europe and EuroHealthNet are organising a webinar on the topic, exploring how the public health sector can address commercial determinants of health in an era of overlapping crises. This is part of the online event Rebooting health promotion: marking 40 years of the Ottawa Charter in the WHO European Region on 29 and 30 April.
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EuroHealthNet responds to consultations
Read all our consultation responses here.
Open consultations:
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Three EU-funded initiatives conclude with final events in Brussels this May
The BeWell conference on 7 May will share lessons on strengthening green and digital skills of Europe’s health workforce. On 19 May, the RIVER-EU conference will share the project’s expertise on addressing health-system barriers to vaccination uptake among underserved communities. Finally, Invest4Health's conference on 28 May will share progress on innovative financing approaches for prevention and health promotion.
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Strengthening patient participation in health governance in Austria and Spain
Austria’s National Public Health Institute (GÖG) has published its vision for strengthening participation by citizens, patients, and self-help organisations in shaping the health system and helping create structured spaces for dialogue and reflection on participation in governance.
In Spain, the Ministry of Health has formally established a national Patient Participation Committee as a permanent forum linking health authorities with patient organisations. The new body will support consultation, monitoring of participation measures, and exchange of good practices.
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Nature and health: new evidence and policy action from Finland and the Netherlands
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), working with partners across research, municipalities, and the social and health sectors, has launched the national Health from Nature programme to integrate nature contact into everyday settings such as schools, workplaces, and care services. Complementing this move, new THL data from the Health in School survey show young people who spend more time in nature report stronger mental wellbeing.
In another study, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) shows that people living in greener environments have higher life expectancy.
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Public Health Wales highlights health impacts of cold and unhealthy housing in Wales
In a recent briefing, temperature monitoring in Welsh low-income households with long-term health conditions found that half did not reach the recommended minimum indoor temperature of 18 °C and reported impacts on mental wellbeing and daily life.
A complementary report brings together lived experiences of families in unhealthy homes and identifies four priorities for action: embedding health in housing strategy, involving affected families in policy design, strengthening cross-sector collaboration and data sharing, and applying Health Impact Assessments to support healthier housing.
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More news from the Partnership
- Communications experts from across EuroHealthNet’s Partnership met in Brussels to reflect on how public health communication can remain effective and trusted in a changing information landscape. Discussions highlighted a shift from broadcasting to listening, drawing on insights from national and international campaigns.
- EuroHealthNet is organising the kick-off webinar of the 2026 European Public Health Week on 5 May. The webinar's topic is prioritising equity through public health investments.
- In the Netherlands, Pharos provides guidance to avoid lifestyle interventions from inadvertently worsening health inequalities. The document provides practical insights as well as tools.
- Public Health Scotland reports that smoking rates in Scotland have halved since smokefree legislation was introduced 20 years ago, alongside reducing deaths and hospitalisations linked to second-hand smoke exposure.
- Trimbos Institute reports that 85% of young people who vape monthly still use flavoured vapes despite the Netherlands’ 2024 ban on their sale. Findings suggest that awareness of the ban is high, but stronger enforcement and broader systemic prevention efforts are needed.
- The Basque Government has launched the Ttipi Ttapa guide to help municipalities promote physical activity through community walking initiatives. It promotes local action to strengthen social connections, reduce loneliness, and advance health equity through community-based approaches to wellbeing.
- A new survey by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) shows that public attitudes towards alcohol policy have become stricter since 2023. Today, 55% consider current policy appropriate, 17% support stricter regulation, and 20% favour more liberal measures. Most respondents (58%) also support maintaining the retail monopoly system.
- Research by the Federal Institute for Public Health Germany (BIÖG) finds that 64% of young people report experiencing digital sexualised violence and 29% involving physical contact.
- The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) will host the new WHO Collaborating Centre on Well-being and Social Sustainability. The Centre aims to advance equitable, inclusive, and sustainable societies through the development of Wellbeing Economies.
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News from the Institutions
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ECDC highlights vaccination progress and gaps
To mark European Immunization Week, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released new epidemiological data, alongside a report on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) programmes and a new vaccination coverage dashboard. Only three EU/EEA countries (Iceland, Portugal, and Norway) have met the European Beating Cancer Plan target of 90% coverage among girls by age 15.
A joint statement by the European Commission, WHO/Europe, and UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia warned that recent outbreaks not only reflect misinformation and declining confidence but also weaknesses in immunisation programmes and primary care systems.
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WHO and France advance global One Health efforts
At the One Health Summit hosted by France, WHO and partners announced new plans to strengthen the implementation of the One Health approach linking human, animal and environmental health. These include plans to establish a Global Network of One Health Institutions and have the WHO assume the chairmanship of this collaboration.
A joint declaration also launched a Health & Climate Integration Cycle (2026–2028) to strengthen the integration of One Health into national climate strategies and health system resilience efforts.
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European Commission launches the European Ocean Board
The European Commission has launched the European Ocean Board, a new high-level expert group tasked with supporting the European Ocean Pact, which aims to strengthen ocean health, promote a sustainable blue economy, and support coastal communities. The board is made up of academia, industry, civil society, and youth organisations and will advise the Commission on the priorities of the Pact.
In parallel, the European Economic and Social Committee has put forward an Opinion which calls for the Pact to align closely with the European Green Deal, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the EU Blue Economy Strategy, and ensure a stronger social dimension through support for workers, skills development, and coastal communities.
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What we are reading...
Alcohol New research shows that young people aged 11–17 strongly recognise alcohol brands through sports sponsorship, including ‘alibi’ marketing and promotion of no- and low-alcohol products, potentially contributing to normalisation of alcohol use and undermining policy efforts – International Journal of Drug Policy
Artificial intelligence A new European Observatory publication explains how AI can improve health outcomes and system efficiency while raising risks around bias, safety, and governance.
Children A new survey under the European Child Guarantee gathered over 41,000 responses from children across EU Member States on access to education, healthcare, housing and nutrition. While many reported improvements, children highlighted persistent barriers linked to costs, waiting times, unequal support and stigma.
Data WHO/Europe has launched a new Health Information Systems Governance (HISGOV) database covering nearly 70 indicators to help countries across the European Region assess how health data are collected, managed and used.
Digital media A Los Angeles jury has found Meta and YouTube liable for designing addictive platform features that harmed a young user, marking the first case of its kind to reach trial. The verdict may influence thousands of similar lawsuits and future regulations – The Guardian
Digital media Greece announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 15 from January 2027. The proposal also calls for coordinated EU action on age-verification tools to strengthen protections for minors online – The Guardian
Digital media A new report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights finds strong public concern across the EU about risks children face on social media. Three in four respondents support legal age limits for access.
Digital media Vienna has added the brochure 'Screen-free from zero to three' to its diaper backpack programme. It reaches around 10,000 families each year with guidance on early childhood development and digital media use – Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
Green spaces A new narrative review presents a conceptual framework linking experience in green spaces, nature connectedness, and pro-environmental behaviour, showing how well-designed urban nature can benefit both people and the planet – Cities & Health
Green spaces: A new study assessing access to nature across 862 European cities finds that fewer than 15% of residents live in neighbourhoods that meet the 3-30-300 rule for urban greenery. Around one-fifth live in areas that meet none of the benchmarks – Nature Communications
Health-promoting schools Bulgaria’s Ministries of Health and Education and Science are joining to develop a Conceptual Framework for health promotion and disease prevention in schools. This includes introducing topics on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, addiction prevention, and sexual and reproductive health across primary and secondary schools to support healthy habits from an early age.
Inequality Social Europe argues that headline EU economic recovery indicators are masking worsening household-level insecurity, especially among low- and middle-income groups. While macroeconomic stability appears restored after recent crises, financial resilience, mental wellbeing, and institutional trust are declining across large parts of the population.
Mental health Ireland’s Health Service Executive plans to introduce a single point of access across primary care, disability, and child and adolescent mental health services from June to improve coordination across services and strengthen earlier access to care – Irish Examiner
Noncommunicable diseases A new OECD analysis shows that prevention, especially reducing obesity, smoking and harmful alcohol use, offers greater health and economic benefits than treatment alone, with potential to lower premature mortality and reduce long-term healthcare spending.
Nutrition The Netherlands Nutrition Centre has updated its Food Pyramid (Schijf van Vijf) based on the latest scientific evidence linking health, sustainability, and food safety. The revised guidance recommends increased consumption of vegetables and reduced intake of meat and cheese.
Social convergence The European Commission has published an analysis of social convergence challenges in nine Member States under the European Semester. The report shows persistent risks related to poverty, skills gaps and labour market participation. The report will be taken into consideration for the preparation of the 2026 Spring Package.
Social participation WHO/Europe has published a new toolkit on community mapping in health emergencies to support identifying local resources, capacities, and structures for more inclusive and context-specific preparedness and response. The guidance highlights how participatory approaches can strengthen trust, resilience, and community protection.
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Events
- Rebooting health promotion – marking 40 years of the Ottawa Charter (Including a webinar co-organised by EuroHealthNet and WHO/Europe) – 29-30 April, online
- HL4EU final conference on physical activity: Advancing Cross-Sector Collaboration for a Healthier Europe (EuroHealthNet speaking) - 4 May, Brussels
- Prioritising equity through public health investments: European Public Health Week 2026 Kick-off Webinar (EuroHealthNet organising) - 5 May, online
- BeWell final conference: From skills to implementation – Building Europe’s future health workforce (EuroHealthNet speaking) – 7 May, Brussels and online
- EUHPP Webinar: EU guidance on infection prevention and control in human health stakeholder collaboration and engagement on draft - 7 May, online
- RIVER-EU final conference: Making vaccine equity work - Community-led solutions for a healthier and more resilient Europe (EuroHealthNet speaking) – 19 May, Brussels and online
- Invest4Health final conference: Mobilising new financial approaches for equitable health and wellbeing – 28 May, Brussels
- EuroHealthNet Annual Seminar: Health promotion and prevention in the digital era - from challenges to solutions, 1 June, Warsaw and online
- EuroHealthNet General Council Meeting (members-only) - 2-3 June, Warsaw
- Delivering intergenerational solidarity: the role of services of general interest – 11 June, Brussels
- International symposium of environmental quality at educational spaces (EuroHealthNet speaking) - 11-12 June, Madrid
- European Forum for Primary Care Conference – 6-8 September, Stuttgart
- Abstract submission open (deadline 1 May)
- European Health Forum Gastein – 29 September-2 October, Bad Hofgastein and online
- European Public Health Conference – 10-13 November, Bilbao
- Abstract submission open (deadline 1 May)
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In case you missed it...
- European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies: How can health care facilities reduce their environmental footprint? – 24 February (Recording available)
- European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies: Demystifying artificial intelligence in health: What health policy-makers need to know – 26 March (Recording 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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