Since our last newsletter focusing on the Healthy Environments Cluster, we’ve witnessed substantial institutional changes.

The Digital Rights and Health Alliance is a civil society-led initiative fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among non-profit organizations, academic experts and AI specialists, to promote ethical standards and fairness in health tech governance.

Most would guess the conclusions of this article from the headline. Clearly, it’s a bad idea to turn off your navigation system when flying in volatile weather (and often in good weather too), but even so, there’s still a significant lack of indicators that can guide us towards effective tools and health literacy for mental health in Europe. Which becomes extra challenging with a combination of our post-pandemic trauma, pre-climate disaster anxiety, and democratic-demographic status quo stress factors. A perfect storm. 

An estimated 11 people in the OECD are diagnosed with cancer every minute, with far-reaching consequences for health systems, economies and societies. For these reasons, in 2021, the European Union has launched the ambitious Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

A new case of cancer is diagnosed every nine seconds in the European Union (EU). Its burden is increasing across the continent, with 2.7 million people newly diagnosed with the disease in 2022 alone. Cancer claimed the lives of an estimated 1.3 million individuals that same year.

Reduction of health inequities and improving health of groups in vulnerable situations are priority themes in EU health and social policies. But when the time comes for implementation, how should health inequities be addressed?

Food is a fundamental human need, yet today’s food systems face challenges that extend beyond meeting basic needs. These systems contribute to health inequity, food insecurity, and diet-related diseases, demanding urgent transformation.

One of the most inspiring parts of this journey has been the partnerships forged with public health actors across Europe. These connections have been invaluable. During the TRIS-process (which allowed parties to comment on the Swedish proposal), unexpected allies emerged from organizations we had never encountered before – but whose opinions helped to enrich the debate. Together, this has reinforced the argument that Sweden’s monopoly is not just a national issue but a cornerstone of European public health efforts.

The year’s last newsfeed focuses on a unified call for more focus on the cross-cutting nature of inequities; the environment, antimicrobial resistance, social inequities, all are relevant to health equity.

EPHA has joined other Health groups representing millions of patients, doctors and nutritionists across the continent to write an open letter to EU leaders, including Commissioners Hansen, Hoekstra, and Várhelyi, calling on them to prioritise preventative policies to...

As we move into December with the end of year holidays and the New Year approaching, it is a good time to reflect on what has been achieved to combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as well as what challenges should form the focus of next year.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the most complex and multifaceted public health challenges of our time. It is a silent crisis that intersects human, animal, and environmental health, threatening not just our healthcare systems but also global economies, ecosystems, and societies. At its core, AMR reflects the consequences of unchecked antibiotic misuse across sectors and borders, making it a challenge that requires breaking down traditional boundaries.

EPHA’s response to the Open Public Consultation on the European Commission’s evaluation of the 2016 National Emission Reduction Commitments (NEC) Directive.

The Board, management, staff, and members of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), wish to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Dr Mira Jovanovski-Dašić, a truly extraordinary leader and public health advocate.

The main political groups of the European Parliament have approved, with a revised distribution of responsibilities, the second von der Leyen Commission including it’s nominee for Health, Olivér Várhelyi.

The Better Regulation for Better Health project has organised a consultation activity to identify barriers and enablers of civil society participation, particularly in terms of consultation activities (i.e., surveys, workshops, events, feedback processes). Elements...

EPHA worked with Triangulate Health to develop a scoping review that would help understanding what is known about health as a driver for a well-being economy and identifying opportunities for engaging European policy makers in well-being economy processes.

In the sixth health equity newsfeed of 2024, EPHA spotlights critical issues affecting health equity in Europe. Key topics include Eurostat’s new report on EU disparities related to gender, age, and ethnicity; the WHO’s guidance on gender inequalities in antimicrobial resistance; and targeted health interventions for LGBTI and Roma communities.