To improve public health, a post-election European Union (EU) should prioritise long-term challenges such as climate change and an ageing population, as well as factors that affect our health, according to a new report. The findings from a seven-month public debate led by the European Observatory for Health Systems Policies highlight a common call for the EU to play a stronger role in health.
The report is based on an open debate commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) and outlines the main priorities and actions desired by citizens and stakeholders from a wide range of sectors, primarily in Europe. The analysis includes more than 800 responses to conference polls and surveys, as well as comprehensive information from three webinars.
This large-scale, participatory initiative allowed us to gather public opinion on nine key health topics: health security, determinants of health, health system transformation, the health workforce, universal coverage, digital solutions and AI, performance and resilience, long-term challenges such as climate change and ageing, and the EU’s global role in health care.
A public call to action – including across sectors
Participants called for the Commission to improve coordination between the various policy sectors. Inter-sectoral collaboration is seen as key to realizing health priorities, and the concepts of “health in all policies” and “health for all policies” have become important tools to address the determinants of health. Interestingly, the topics that received the highest consensus in framing the discussion were those over which the health sector has little control alone.
Important measures need to be taken to reduce the health impacts of environmental risks, such as promoting environmental health and supporting health equity through comprehensive policies. Participants also considered it important to address the needs of an ageing society by improving health services and preparing the health system to meet the demands of the elderly.
The opinion piece suggested several actions to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the EU, such as ensuring equal access to comprehensive health services for all EU citizens and financial protection for all. Other recommendations range from establishing a common minimum coverage package and a European Health Insurance Scheme to focusing on underserved groups, improving health literacy and incorporating mental health into UHC policies.
What is the EU’s role?
Participants stressed the importance of the EU legal framework and instruments to promote and protect health, including financial and technical assistance. They called for both new tools and better implementation and coordination of existing mechanisms.
The harmonization of educational standards was raised as an important topic in the context of addressing health workforce shortages, regional disparities and demand for new skills. Improving working conditions to better address health workforce needs and mitigate existing gaps was also discussed. There was agreement on the need for an EU approach to health workforce issues, including better coordination of initiatives and the pursuit of EU-wide policies.
Digital solutions, health security and strengthening the EU’s global voice and leadership were widely discussed but ranked slightly lower. Possible explanations outlined in the report include that “voters may have perceived the cross-cutting nature of digital solutions as a means to achieve other priorities.” The COVID-19 pandemic and the EU’s ongoing actions on health security may have led voters to choose other topics that have received less policy attention in recent years.
Surveys, webinars, and conference polls
The report synthesizes data collected through public opinion polls at public health meetings, three interactive webinars and a stakeholder survey.
More than 500 people participated in the poll, ranking topics in order of importance to them. There were over 300 survey responses analysed in the report, coming from 48 countries, with 81% based in EU member states. Nearly a third were under 40 years old, and 60% were aged between 40 and 69. Most of the respondents worked in the public sector, with many coming from academia, research institutions, governments, multilateral organisations, civil society and the private sector.
A range of cross-sectional topics were raised, with a set of common concerns emerging: non-communicable and chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease, mental health, equity, public health, prevention and health promotion, political determinants of health, and health services and delivery to meet patient needs.
“As the new European Parliament and Commission begin their work, the outcomes of this open debate can serve as a source of inspiration, providing innovative ideas, highlighting areas of unmet need and outlining concrete proposals for action to design health policies that meet the needs, aspirations and expectations of EU citizens,” the report says.
