The European Commission today highlighted the progress made in EU health policy over the past four years.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic showed us that EU solidarity, cooperation and decisive action are the way forward. The EU Vaccine Strategy ensured equal access to vaccines for all EU citizens, EU Digital COVID Certificates enabled the safe resumption of economic and social activity and SURE helped 31 million workers overcome the economic impact of the pandemic. Through our Team Europe approach, the EU has become the largest donor of vaccines and provided almost €54 billion in emergency support to partner countries.
Building on the experience of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Health Union was born in November 2020, with citizens and patients at its heart, and with the primary objective of protecting their health and transforming their lives.
Key Results:
Stronger health security measures to prepare for and respond to future crises Proposed reforms to EU medicines law ensure equal and timely access to affordable medicines for all World-leading cancer control funded by €4 billion from the EU Groundbreaking initiatives to digitise healthcare Comprehensive efforts to improve mental health, from mental health promotion to improved prevention and support services Regulations to increase patient safety and secure medicines supply One Health approach to tackle major health risks
The European Health Union ensures Member States are prepared for future health crises and supports modern and innovative health policies for all citizens across the EU. It is supported by substantial funding from the EU4Health programme.
The European Health Union will continue to promote European innovation and competitiveness in healthcare to better meet patient needs, and the EU will remain a strong global partner and contributor to improving health for people around the world.
For more information
European Health Union
Press release: European Health Union: stronger and better prepared for the future
Fact sheet on a Stronger European Health Union for All
Fact sheet on the European Plan to End Cancer
Medicines Fact Sheets – Patients
Comprehensive approach to mental health fact sheet
Factsheet on the European Health Data Space
Fact sheet on European Union action to ensure better health
HERA Fact Sheet
