The European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), Europe’s most important health policy conference, is being held for the 26th time this year. The conference has long since become the springboard for many other important initiatives.
European Health Union
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were calls to take the momentous step of establishing a European Health Union. What has happened since then? Was it just a case of empty words? Healthy Europe asked two members of the Young Forum Gastein for their opinion.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission has taken initial steps towards forming a European Health Union. Many public health representatives believe that further-reaching measures should follow.
What are the characteristics of a true European Health Union? Are existing initiatives sufficient for such a union, or are more extensive measures necessary? “Healthy Europe” asked two Young Gasteiners for their opinion.
An interview with István Ujhelyi, Member of the European Parliament, on why the COVID-19 pandemic supported the initiation of a “European Health Union” and which further steps are necessary.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan takes a comprehensive approach and is designed to noticeably reduce the number of cancer cases in Europe by enabling increased prevention and better detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The current 24 European Reference Networks of the European Union enable medical professionals to exchange knowledge of rare or low-prevalence complex diseases online, and thus improve the treatment of patients.
The European Health Forum Gastein is celebrating its 25th anniversary and remains loyal to its principles: being open to new ideas and working together to find innovative solutions to major issues. The theme for the EHFG 2022 is: “A moonshot for a true European Health Union – If not now, when?”
The European Health Data Space is a significant part of the European Health Union and is expected to improve the health of EU citizens. Since September 2022, a pilot project has tested how it can be put into practice.
Now is the time to strengthen the role of the EU in health policy and to build a European Health Union. This will require appropriate amendments to the EU treaties, writes former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis in his guest contribution.