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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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Irish Presidency of the EU puts sights on competitiveness, value, and security
Health priorities include poverty, child wellbeing, housing, and equality
Ireland has published the programme for its Presidency of the Council of the EU, covering July–December 2026. Structured around competitiveness, values, and security, the programme includes work on the EU’s next long-term budget (the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework) and simplification proposals.
Priorities relevant to health equity include the European Anti-Poverty Strategy, the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Child Guarantee, housing exclusion, disability rights, and equality. Health is framed as a foundation for Europe’s security and competitiveness, with a focus on prevention, innovation, and equity.
The Presidency will also address women’s health, mental health in all policies, the EU Safe Hearts Plan, the European Health Data Space, tobacco taxation, and children’s online safety.
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European Commission publishes 2026 Spring Package
Health and housing are prominent in Member State recommendations
The 2026 Spring Package is part of the European Semester, the EU governance system for coordinating Member States economic and social policies. The Spring Package country reports provide an in-depth analysis of economic, social, and employment developments in each Member State.
This year’s health-related Country-Specific Recommendations address structural challenges, including access to healthcare, workforce shortages, and the strengthening of primary care and prevention. For the first time, housing is also a central focus. Each country report now includes a dedicated housing annex, with recommendations to improve affordability and address housing pressures.
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European Parliament's public health committee adopts report on cardiovascular health in the EU
Calls for stricter rules on tobacco, vapes, and processed foods
The European Parliament's Public Health Committee (SANT) adopted its report on an EU cardiovascular diseases strategy on 24 June, in response to the Commission's 'Safe Hearts Plan.' The text calls for stronger action on food environments and ultra-processed foods, stronger regulation of tobacco and alcohol, and a new EU cardiovascular health inequalities dashboard modelled on the Cancer Inequalities Registry.
The committee's report also pushes for gender-responsive care to address chronic underdiagnosis in women, EU-wide cardiovascular health checks, and dedicated funding for prevention and research. The report now moves to a vote in the Parliament's plenary.
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WHO/Europe launches new guidance on heat-health action plans
Guidance helps governments prepare for rising health risks from extreme heat
WHO/Europe’s second edition of guidance on Heat-Health Action Plans supports countries to develop, strengthen, and implement plans at national, regional, and local levels. The guidance provides an implementation-oriented framework built around eight core elements: governance, heat-health warning systems, populations at increased risk, communication, health system resilience, reducing heat exposure, heat-health surveillance, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
It also includes action briefs for key sectors and a public health message to support risk communication with the public, translating evidence and implementation experience into practical tools and decision points.
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EuroHealthNet Partnership
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EuroHealthNet Partnership meets in Warsaw to set strategic course
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On 2 and 3 June, the EuroHealthNet General Council convened in Warsaw, hosted by the National Public Health Institute of Poland, to reflect on its achievements, exchange on shared challenges and solutions, and set the strategic direction for the years to come. It welcomed eight new members and passed several strategic documents.
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Looking back on a successful year
The General Council adopted EuroHealthNet's Annual Report 2025-2026, which captures a year of collaboration, innovation, and action for health, equity, and wellbeing across Europe.
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A new Strategic Development Plan
The new Strategic Development Plan for the period 2026-2031 sets out how the Partnership will continue to drive change amid challenges such as climate change, a changing digital world, and the growing influence of commercial determinants of health.
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The launch of the Ethics Advisory Panel
To keep its work grounded in shared values and commitments, a new EuroHealthNet Ethics Advisory Panel will provide independent guidance on ethical questions and help implement the EuroHealthNet Ethical Framework.
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Health promotion in the digital era
EuroHealthNet’s 2026 Annual Seminar on 1 June gathered more than 60 in-person and over 300 online participants to explore how we can ensure that the digital and AI transformation advances health equity and wellbeing, rather than amplifying existing gaps. A recording of the event is available.
In a following statement, EuroHealthNet called for digital spaces and hybrid environments that protect and promote health, stronger accountability for tech platforms, and greater investment in real-world human connection, participation and capabilities.
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Making investments in prevention and health promotion happen
EuroHealthNet has launched a new online Guide for Financing Prevention and Health Promotion. It offers practical guidance to help turn political commitments on prevention into sustained investment.
Users will find evidence, tools, and case studies to support smarter, more sustainable financing approaches for health promotion and disease prevention.
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Register now! BlueAdapt conference on climate, health, and coastal environments
Climate change is reshaping Europe's coastal and water environments, creating interconnected risks for human health, ecosystems, and local economies. On 22 September, BlueAdapt will hold its final conference in Brussels to explore how Europe can build resilience to these climate-related health risks.
Discussions will centre on a One Health approach — recognising the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health — and on strengthening climate adaptation, prevention, and preparedness by bridging science, policy, and practice.
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Launch of the European Culture and Health Hub
EuroHealthNet is part of the new European Culture and Health Hub. This Horizon Europe initiative will connect researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across the culture, health, social care, humanitarian, youth, and education sectors to strengthen the evidence base, support policy development, and test how arts-based approaches can promote wellbeing, social connection and community resilience.
Interested organisations, professionals and artists are invited to fill out this form to receive timely updates on the project, including information about the launch of the Hub.
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EuroHealthNet responds to consultations
Read all our consultation responses here.
Open consultations:
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World No Tobacco Day: EuroHealthNet members highlight changing tobacco and nicotine trends
In Belgium, Sciensano reports that, in 2022, cigarette smoking was associated with 8.2% of all deaths, or over 200,000 years of life lost in Belgium. While continuing to decline, current trends in tobacco use are not sufficient to meet Belgium’s tobacco-free generation targets, and formal measures are needed to ensure transparency and regulate interactions to prevent tobacco industry interference.
In the Netherlands, the Trimbos Institute reports that adult smoking continues to decline (17.8% in 2025), but more slowly than before, with persistent differences between population groups. Its new factsheet also links smoking and vaping among students to more frequent mental health problems and a higher risk of alcohol disorder.
In Germany, the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) found that smoking among 12-to 17-year-olds rose from 6.1% in 2021 to 9.6% in 2025, alongside growing use of reusable e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
In Italy, the Institute of Health reports that more than 850,000 students aged 14–17 used tobacco or nicotine products in the past month, with e-cigarettes the most commonly used product.
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THL publishes position papers on EU health priorities
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has published a series of position papers setting out key public health priorities for EU policymaking. The papers cover topics including the next EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework), tobacco control, preparedness, mental health, the Safe Hearts Plan, health data, children’s safety online, and medical countermeasures.
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Advancing social prescribing in Tuscany, Italy
At an event in Florence in May, the Tuscany Region presented social prescribing projects underway that connect people who are vulnerable or at risk of becoming vulnerable to cultural and community activities such as theatre, museum visits, outdoor walks, community gardening, and volunteering. Tuscany is also preparing Italy’s first regional guidelines on social prescribing, expected in June.
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Addressing the harmful impact of digital environments
An analysis of social media and young people’s psychosocial health by the Austrian Health Promotion Fund finds that risks depend not only on screen time, but also on usage patterns, content, and individual circumstances. The report calls for a combined approach that includes digital and socio-emotional skills, supportive environments, youth participation, and stronger regulation.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health has issued new guidance for professionals working with children and young people on how to identify risks linked to harmful online environments as part of routine conversations.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden has updated its recommendations on parents’ screen use around children, following a new research review on how guardians’ digital media habits affect children’s health and wellbeing.
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JA PreventNCD calls for clear and adequate funding for health promotion in next EU budget
JA PreventNCD's position paper presents prevention as a strategic investment in Europe’s health, resilience, equity and long-term prosperity, as ill health burdens societies, health systems, and economies. To secure long-term investments, the paper calls for earmarking EU funding for health promotion, prevention of non-communicable diseases, and health equity in the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034. It also calls for prevention-focused indicators to track long-term population health outcomes. EuroHealthNet contributed to the paper.
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More news from the Partnership
- As part of multiple alliances, EuroHealthNet has supported joint statements and letters to EU institutions.
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- The RIVER-EU project, which aimed to improve vaccine equity for underserved communities across Europe, has released its final newsletter. The issue shares updates on the project’s closing events and highlights key legacy outputs, including educational materials and the Guideline and Action Framework.
- BEST-COST’s latest newsletter sets out the initiative’s efforts to improve research methodologies to better understand how air and noise pollution impact our health.
- A new Public Health Wales survey of 1,460 people on food environments and portion-size behaviours shows young adults, men, people living in the most deprived areas, and people who perceive themselves to be a heavier weight were more likely to report behaviours such as eating more takeaways, ready meals, and larger portions
- Held in Montrouge on 9 November 2026, Santé publique France’s Rencontres will focus on innovation in public health, including health messaging around harmful products, digital mental health interventions, and co-creation. Sessions are in both French and English, and participation is free. Santé publique France’s latest edition of La Santé en action was dedicated to alcohol as a major public health issue.
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News from the Institutions
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European Parliament asks the Commission to withdraw its tobacco taxation proposal
On 17 June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution asking the European Commission to withdraw the proposal to revise the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive. The proposed Directive aims to update excise duty rules and minimum tax rates for tobacco and tobacco-related products, including newer nicotine products.
The next steps will depend mainly on the Irish Presidency and its decision to keep the excise duty reform among its political priorities. Tobacco taxation is a proven measure to reduce smoking.
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WHO launches health inequality country profiles
The interactive profiles cover 195 countries, areas, and territories and draw on 45 indicators linked to WHO’s global health strategy. Each profile shows health inequalities by factors such as age, sex, education, economic status, and place of residence. They aim to help countries identify inequalities, track progress, and strengthen health information systems.
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EU long-term budget: EU leaders advance negotiations as cuts proposed to ECF health window
The Cyprus Presidency presented an updated proposal for the EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034). The plan, known as the ‘negotiation box’, proposes cuts to the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), including the part dedicated to health. The National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) for accessing EU funding for cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, migration, and security saw only a small reduction.
On 16 June, EU Member States formally agreed on parts of the new negotiating positions for the governance and procedural rules for the ECF and the NRPP. On 18–19 June, leaders called on the incoming Irish Presidency to advance work by October, aiming for agreement by the end of 2026.
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EUDA reports on Europe’s changing drug situation
The European Union Drugs Agency’s 2026 report provides an overview of Europe’s drug situation up to the end of 2025. It points to a more complex and unpredictable drug market, with high availability, more diverse products, and increased risks linked to new substances. The report stresses the need for timely monitoring, evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services that can respond to emerging risks.
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Council advances EU health innovation files
EU health ministers agreed on the Council’s negotiating position on part of the European Biotech Act, covering genetically modified micro-organisms and organ processing. They also discussed the proposed Biotech Act regulation and reviewed progress on simplifying rules for medical and in vitro diagnostic devices, aiming to support innovation, competitiveness, and patient access.
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What we are reading...
Art prescription The book Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health, highlights the growing evidence on arts engagement as a ‘forgotten fifth pillar of health’ - The Lancet
Artificial intelligence A new European Parliament briefing explores opportunities and risks related to the use of artificial intelligence in health, including in diagnostics, personalised treatment, hospital management, and everyday use of chatbots. It underlines the need for safeguards, digital skills, and human oversight.
Child obesity A new cohort study links Chile’s food labelling and advertising law to reductions in excess weight among young children. Using data from over 320,000 children aged 4–6, it found that children exposed to the first phase of the law had a lower probability of overweight or obesity, with the strongest effects after 18 months of exposure - The Lancet
Climate change The OECD’s 2026 review on aligning finance with climate goals finds that countries are expanding climate-related financial policies, but fossil fuel financing still outpaces low-carbon financing across most asset classes.
Digital spaces G7 leaders called for stronger action to make digital spaces safer for children and young people. The statement urges digital service providers to apply safety-by-design, age-appropriate settings, privacy-preserving age assurance, parental controls, and stronger measures against harmful content.
Digital spaces A new European Parliamentary Research Service briefing examines growing interest in age-based restrictions on children’s access to social media, with nearly 40 countries considering or introducing such measures.
Employment inequality A new Eurostat snapshot highlights persistent employment inequalities in the EU in 2025. The largest gap was between people with and without disabilities, at 24.2 percentage points. The gender employment gap stood at 9.6 points and rose to 18.3 points among foreign-born people.
Health financing The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies examined how health and social care are financed, specifically how countries raise, pool, and allocate resources, covering taxation, insurance, user charges, long-term care, provider payment, medicines, integrated care, pandemic preparedness, and innovation.
Health systems A new OECD policy brief draws lessons from a global review of health system resilience. It stresses that resilience goes beyond responding to crises to preparing for, preventing, recovering from, and learning from shocks, while addressing chronic pressures such as ageing, multimorbidity, climate risks, workforce strain, and inequalities.
Mental health Mental Health Europe calls for the EU’s 2023 Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health to become a renewed and more ambitious EU Mental Health Strategy. Priorities include embedding mental health across EU policies, prevention, community-based care, and the involvement of civil society and people with lived experience.
Noncommunicable diseases JA PreventNCD’s new policy brief, developed jointly with 4 EU4Health-funded projects, calls for more coordinated European action to prevent cancer and other NCDs while reducing health inequalities. It calls for combining population-level measures, civil society engagement, equity assessment tools, and community-driven approaches.
Noncommunicable diseases G7 leaders renewed their commitment to accelerate action against cancer, with a focus on prevention, early detection, research cooperation, and access to quality care. The statement highlights the role of secure health data, AI, and international collaboration in improving outcomes.
Prevention Italy’s National Prevention Plan 2026–2031 sets the framework for health promotion and prevention across the country. The Plan strengthens the One Health and Health in All Policies approaches, increases resources for prevention, and aims to improve consistency across regions – Italian Ministry of Health
Social prescribing A study based on data from 19,627 people in the UK estimated that every £1 invested in social prescribing generated around £9 in social value - Nature Health
Ultraprocessed food The July issue of the American Journal of Public Health features a landmark special section on ultraprocessed foods. It examines how major tobacco companies helped shape the modern ultraprocessed food industry, and explores policy responses.
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Events
- Study visit on health in EU policymaking (EuroHealthNet members only) - 2-3 September, Brussels
- European Forum for Primary Care Conference – 6-8 September, Stuttgart (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- Healthy Horizons: Exploring Innovations in Public Health – 9-11 September, High Tatras, Slovakia (EuroHealthNet speaking)
- EuroHealthNet Horizon Europe info and matchmaking webinar (Members-only) – 16 September, online
- Portorož Youth Health Forum 2026 - Youth Health Organization, 20-24 September, Slovenia
- BlueAdapt Final Conference: Climate change & Health – 25 September, Brussels, Belgium
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European Health Forum Gastein – 29 September-2 October, Bad Hofgastein and online
- Connect to Protect: Children & Youth at Risk Conference – 5-6 October, Athens (EuroHealthNet speaking)
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European Public Health Conference – 10-13 November, Bilbao
- Save the date for BEST-COST’s final conference: Health, environment, climate: an EU agenda to reduce the burden of disease and inequalities - 25 November, Brussels (registration open, more info available soon)
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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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