LibGuides: Public health: EU Publications

EU publications

Health at a Glance: Europe 2022 by OECD and European Union
Publication Date: 2022
The 2022 edition of Health at a Glance: Europe examines the key challenges European countries must address to develop stronger, more resilient health systems following the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a special focus on how the pandemic has affected young people’s mental and physical health. The report emphasises the need for additional measures to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from scarring a generation of young people. This edition of Health at a Glance: Europe also assesses the pandemic’s disruption of a wide range of health services for non-COVID patients, as well as the policy responses European countries deployed to minimise the adverse consequences of these disruptions. It also addresses a number of important behavioural and environmental risk factors that have a major impact on people’s health and mortality, highlighting the need to put a greater focus on the prevention of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Improving pandemic preparedness and management : lessons learned and ways forward by Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission) , European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (European Commission) , Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (European Commission)
Publication Date: 2020
Epidemics and pandemics have shaped human history and will continue to do so. The COVID-19 crisis has shown that there is need to understand how Europe can ensure better management of and preparedness for them. This joint advice builds on lessons learned from the current and from previous pandemics. It analyses their complexity, drawing on insights from research and scholarship and taking European values and respect for fundamental rights as critical orientation. It is developed jointly by the European Commission’s independent Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) and Peter Piot, Special Advisor to the President of the European Commission on the response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccination and prioritisation strategies in the EU/EEA by European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Publication Date: 2020
This document builds on a previously published ECDC report, ‘Key aspects regarding the introduction and prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccination in the EU/EEA and the UK’. By using mathematical modelling, this document provides EU/EEA countries with information on factors that may affect the choice of COVID-19 vaccination strategies, according to different target groups and based on scenarios of hypothetical vaccine characteristics.
The organisation of resilient health and social care following the COVID-19 pandemic by Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (European Commission)
Publication Date: 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the resilience of health systems across the globe. Many analyses of its impact and the responses adopted have already been published. The Panel received a mandate to look beyond the current crisis and consider how health systems can prepare better for future threats. Specifically, the mandate requested a new framework for the organisation of health and social care following the COVID-19 pandemic. This Opinion (1) identifies the building blocks of resilient health and social care systems, (2) explores the elements and conditions for capacity building to strengthen health system resilience, (3) addresses healthcare provision for vulnerable patient groups and how to sustain such provision in a system under stress, and (4) sets out an approach to develop and implement “resilience tests” of Member State’s health systems.
EU public health policies: state of play, current and future challenges by Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union (European Parliament)
Publication Date: 2019
This study provides an outlook on the topics that may shape the ENVI Committee’s public health agenda during the new legislature. It describes key public health definitions, principles and concepts, discusses the EU’s powers to act on health, and presents an overview of health policy developments and challenges. This document was provided by Policy Department A at the request of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament.
State of health in the EU : Companion report 2019 by Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (European Commission)
Publication Date: 2019
What matters to Europeans matters to the EU, and it should come as no surprise that regular surveys and debates across the continent consistently rank health among the top priorities for European citizens. This report showcases some of the biggest trends in the transformation of our health systems.
Pharmaceutical strategy for Europe: final report, replies to the public consultation by Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (European Commission) , ICF
Publication Date: 2020
The European Commission published a public consultation on the Pharmaceutical Strategy - Timely Patient Access to Affordable Medicines, which was available for stakeholders to comment on and share their views from 16 June 2020 to 15 September 2020. This report presents a neutral, over-arching review of the replies received. Section 2 presents the methodology including an overview of the contributions. Section 3 presents an analysis of replies to the survey questions while Section 4 presents a synthesis of position papers received with a focus on additional views and recommendations not already expressed in reply to the survey.
Adaptation to health effects of climate change in Europe by Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission) , Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (European Commission)
Publication Date: 2020
Scientific evidence shows that the climate is changing largely as a result of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission. Even if all countries adhere to their current commitments a rise of 3 °C is predicted. Climate change already has negative effects on health. The main impacts on health in Europe are from heat and heat-waves, changing patterns of infectious and vector-borne diseases, and from extreme disasters like floods and fires. The need for making the health sector more resilient to risk at large has been illustrated not the least by the recent COVID-19 crisis. This opinion presents the challenges for the health sector caused by the need for adapting to the increased risks from climate change.
Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer by Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union (European Parliament)
Publication Date: 2020
Publication metadata
This study provides an overview of the current state-of-play in Europe in respect to the fight against cancer. It focuses in particular on four main areas: causation of cancer; cancer screening and early diagnosis; access to cancer treatment, care and research; and rare and childhood cancers. It provides key findings and recommendations in each of these areas.
Conquering cancer: mission possible by Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (European Commission)
Publication Date: 2020
Under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) five Missions aim to deliver solutions to major challenges for Europe. They include a Mission on Cancer. Many more people in Europe are living with cancer as the result of an ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, and unfavourable social, environmental and working conditions. This is generating a huge burden for citizens, cancer patients, survivors and their families, and for health systems and society at large. To deliver concrete solutions, the Board for the Mission on Cancer is proposing an ambitious goal: “By 2030, more than 3 million lives saved, living longer and better”.
Addressing antimicrobial resistance by European Court of Auditors
Publication Date: 2019
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health. The EU follows a ‘One Health’ approach to the problem, considering veterinary, human health, and environmental issues. We examined how the Commission and relevant EU agencies managed their support to Member States and the EU funded research aimed at fighting antimicrobial resistance. We concluded that the activities of the Commission and agencies led to some progress.

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Summaries of EU legislation

Public health
Good health is a major concern of European citizens. The European Union (EU) works for better health protection through its policies and activities, in accordance with Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. EU action on health issues aims to improve public health, prevent diseases and threats to health (including those related to lifestyle), as well as to promote research. The EU does not define health policies, nor the organisation and provision of health services and medical care. Instead, its action serves to complement national policies and to support cooperation between member countries in the field of public health.

Fact Sheets on the European Union

Public health

The Treaty of Lisbon has enhanced the importance of health policy, stipulating that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities’. Primary responsibility for health protection and, in particular, healthcare systems continues to lie with the Member States. However, the EU has an important role to play in improving public health, preventing and managing diseases, mitigating sources of danger to human health, and harmonising health strategies between Member States. The EU has successfully implemented a comprehensive policy, through the ‘Health for Growth’ health strategy and its action programme (2014-2020) and a body of secondary legislation. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) will continue to provide funding during the 2021-2027 programming period.

Medicines and Medical Devices

Medicines and medical devices are subject to the rules of the single market and have a direct impact on people’s health. A robust legal framework is in place to protect public health and guarantee the safety of these products. It covers the full cycle, from trials and testing, to authorisation for placement on the market, to surveillance and recall. Access to affordable medicines, the fight against antimicrobial resistance, the ethical conduct of clinical trials, and incentives to research and development are just some of the key issues the EU deals with in this field. In order to keep up with scientific and technological advancement and respond to emerging health threats, legislative and policy measures are subject to regular evaluation and follow-up.

European Parliament Think Tank

Collection of various briefings and studies

Policy area : Public health

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Public health: EU Publications

In the Council