The European cardiovascular and cancer communities call on EU policymakers to ensure that health remains a clearly identifiable and sufficiently resourced priority within the future European Competitiveness Fund and the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Together, cardiovascular disease and cancer account for nearly 3 million deaths each year in the European Union and are estimated to cost the EU close to €500 billion annually. Beyond their human impact, these conditions generate substantial avoidable healthcare expenditure, productivity loss, and social security costs, affecting workforce participation, innovation capacity, and public finances across Member States.

Chronic diseases require coordinated European action. EU flagship initiatives such as the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan reflect this growing recognition and provide a strong framework for improving prevention, care, and health system resilience.

The European Competitiveness Fund will be a central instrument in shaping Europe’s industrial capacity and strategic autonomy, supporting sustainable growth and long-term value creation. In this context, cardiovascular and cancer prevention and care are not only public health priorities but also key enablers of Europe’s competitiveness, productivity, and social sustainability.

Investment in health delivers dual returns: improved population health and stronger economic performance. A healthier population translates into higher labour market participation, more productive working lives, and reduced pressure on health and social care systems. The EU4Health programme has demonstrated the value of a dedicated EU health instrument in strengthening prevention, cooperation, and preparedness—an approach that must be preserved.

As discussions on the future EU budget progress, we call on policymakers to:

• Ensure health remains a standalone priority with strong, ringfenced and dedicated funding
• Safeguard the visibility, predictability and scale of EU investment in health within the European Competitiveness Fund
• Support implementation of both the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan through the full period of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–34
• Recognise health as a strategic driver of competitiveness, particularly in life sciences, medical technologies, and digital health
• Strengthen the resilience and crisis preparedness of health systems in the face of geopolitical challenges and future shocks

We stand ready to work with EU institutions and Member States to ensure that Europe’s competitiveness agenda fully reflects the strategic importance of investing in health.

Funding health is not a cost — it is a strategic investment in Europe’s future.

As the European Parliament lead committee on the Report on the Regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) holds a decisive responsibility in safeguarding Europe’s progress, ambition, and global leadership in the fight against cancer.

Against this backdrop, and with the deadline to table amendments set for 6 May, the EU’s cancer and cardiovascular communities urge all members of the ITRE Committee to table targeted amendments, prioritising the following statement:

‘The EU4Health programme has demonstrated its value as a transformative instrument for strengthening public health systems and securing the Union’s strategic autonomy. Recognising that a healthy population and a resilient workforce are fundamental to European competitiveness, health must remain a standalone programme with strong levels of dedicated funding to implement the EU Safe Hearts Plan and sustain the progress of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.’

AMENDMENT:

Heading 2: Competitiveness, Prosperity, and Security
Original Structure	Proposed revised Structure
04 — Competitiveness Fund	04 — Competitiveness Fund
04 02 — European Competitiveness Fund 04 02 01 — Clean transition and decarbonisation 04 02 02 — Health and bioeconomy 04 02 03 — Digital leadership 04 02 04 — Resilience, Defence Industry and Space 04 02 05 — Competitiveness Hub and Cross-cutting Competitiveness Actions 04 02 06 — Contribution to ECF InvestEU Instrument	04 02 — European Competitiveness Fund 04 02 01 — Clean transition and decarbonisation 04 02 02 — Health and bioeconomy 04 02 02 (new) – Health 04 02 03 (new) – Bioeconomy 04 02 03 — Digital leadership 04 02 04 — Resilience, Defence Industry and Space 04 02 05 — Competitiveness Hub and Cross-cutting Competitiveness Actions 04 02 06 — Contribution to ECF InvestEU Instrument

We also call on all partners, stakeholders and broader cardiovascular and cancer communities to actively approach Members of the European Parliament and urge them to reflect these priorities in their draft reports.

7 May 2026 | 09:30 – 11:30 | European Parliament (SPINELLI 1H1), Brussels

MEP Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, Lithuania) will host a high-level event on early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient representatives and other key stakeholders. The event is organised by the EFPIA Cardiovascular Health Platform in collaboration with EACH.

The discussion will focus on the importance of strengthening prevention and early diagnosis of CVD, which remains the leading cause of mortality in Europe. In particular, it will explore how comprehensive health check programmes can support earlier detection, reduce inequalities and improve outcomes across Member States, in the context of upcoming EU initiatives such as the proposed Council Recommendation on cardiovascular health checks in the context of the EU Safe Hearts Plan.

The event will feature keynote interventions and two interactive panel discussions, fostering dialogue between EU institutions, national authorities, clinicians and patient representatives. Participants will exchange views on best practices, implementation challenges and opportunities to support more coordinated and effective approaches to cardiovascular health checks across Europe.

More information, including the full agenda and registration link, will be shared in due course.

On 8 April 2026, MEP Romana Jerković will host a cardiovascular health initiative at the European Parliament, organised with the support of the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the Croatian Hypertension League.

Taking place in the Spinelli building, the initiative will bring cardiovascular prevention directly into the heart of EU policymaking, highlighting the importance of early detection and routine screening. It will also demonstrate how prevention can be integrated into everyday settings, including the workplace.

The initiative comes at an important moment for EU health policy. Cardiovascular health is now firmly on the EU political agenda, with the EU Safe Hearts Plan and a forthcoming Council Recommendation on a common protocol for cardiovascular health checks strengthening the focus on prevention and early detection across Europe.

At the heart of the event is a simple but powerful message: know your numbers. Many cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, can remain silent for years. Early detection gives people the information they need to seek follow-up care, make lifestyle changes and reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke.

Programme and activities

The programme will begin with opening remarks from 12:00 to 12:30, including contributions from MEP Jerković, MEP Adam Jarubas, Dr Ivan Pećin, Vice-President of the Croatian Hypertension League, and a message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

Cardiovascular health testing will then take place in an open, drop-in format from 12:30 to 14:30 for Members of the European Parliament and parliamentary staff.

Healthcare professionals will provide a range of cardiovascular screenings, including blood pressure measurement, blood glucose and cholesterol testing, body composition analysis, Lipoprotein(a) measurement and albuminuria screening. Participants will receive their results immediately, helping to raise awareness of individual risk factors and encouraging follow-up where appropriate.

A lifestyle coach will also be available on site for participants who would like guidance on maintaining or improving a healthy lifestyle. The coach will offer short, structured conversations based on insight, motivation and action, taking place after the measurements and focusing on one or more of Life’s Essential 8 factors, such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep and smoking cessation.

Photo gallery

The updated Stroke Action Plan for Europe (SAP-E), a joint initiative of the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE), has been published in the European Stroke Journal.

The updated Plan:

• Highlights both progress achieved and persistent gaps in stroke prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation and life after stroke across Europe;
• Presents data collected from European countries through the Stroke Service Tracker;
• Sets out a clear roadmap with actionable targets and measurable benchmarks to reduce the burden of stroke by 2030;
• Serves as a call to action, stressing that every European country should have a funded and fully implemented national stroke strategy.

Key messages

Implementation of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe (2018–2030) began in 2019. This mid-term update reflects current challenges for stroke care in Europe in 2025 and incorporates the latest available evidence.

Despite improvements in stroke care, stroke remains a major health challenge in Europe, with significant incidence and persistent inequalities in access to care. Gaps remain across the care pathway, particularly in access to stroke units, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up.

To effectively reduce the burden of stroke, the Plan identifies four priority action areas:

1. National stroke plans covering the entire chain of care and integrated into reimbursement systems;
2. Quality and outcome monitoring at both individual and health-system level;
3. Robust and resilient healthcare organisation ensuring equitable, timely and evidence-based stroke care;
4. Effective national strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and control stroke risk factors.

The EACH Cardiovascular Health Summit took place in Brussels on 10–11 December 2025 and showcased a remarkable diversity of voices, bringing together 40 speakers from 20 countries, including 21 women and 10 people with lived experience of cardiovascular disease. Discussions spanned a wide range of critical topics, from health inequalities and equity to translating science into real-world impact, the role of patient voices in shaping policy, synergies between cardiovascular disease and cancer, and gender differences in cardiovascular health.

The success of the Summit underscored the power of collaboration and partnership across the cardiovascular community. Policymakers, clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and industry came together to share challenges and co-create solutions, reinforcing the shared commitment needed to drive lasting change.

With the publication of the European Commission’s Cardiovascular Health Plan approaching on 16 December, this work now enters a decisive phase. Momentum continues to build to ensure the Plan’s recommendations are effectively implemented, advancing cardiovascular health for everyone in Europe.

Event Report

The event report captures the key debates, insights and messages that emerged during the two days of the Summit.

Press Release

The press release highlights the key themes and announcements of the Summit, including the keynote address by EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on the forthcoming launch of the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Next week, we will adopt the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan under the name Safe Hearts Plan. Successful implementation can only be achieved through robust, long-term funding. A micro-levy on unhealthy food, following the polluter-pays principle, will help mitigate the impact of cardiovascular disease on society and finance the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

– Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare

Video Highlights

Photo Gallery

Stay Connected

Follow updates from EACH on LinkedIn and join the conversation using the hashtags #CVHealthForAll and #EACHSummit2025.

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) is delighted to invite you to join us in Brussels on 10-11 December 2025 for the EACH Cardiovascular Health Summit, held at the Palais des Academies (1 Rue Ducale), with Secretariat provided by the European Society of Cardiology.

We warmly welcome health stakeholders and national representatives to take part in this inaugural Summit where you will have the chance to meet with Members of European Parliament from your country, hear best practices regarding implementation of national action plans, learn the latest science behind emerging trends in cardiovascular risk and prevention, hear from patients and lived experiences, and dig into the latest news around the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. Join us for an interactive, immersive and unforgettable policy experience!

Preview below our draft programme:

REGISTRATION FOR IN PERSON ATTENDANCE HAS NOW CLOSED

To follow the discussions online, please subscribe to our EACH YouTube channel.

Enquiries: each@escardio.org

Heart disease and stroke share many of the same risk factors and often co-occur. Together, they are the leading cause of death in the EU, with substantial economic and societal impacts.

The European Commission is currently preparing an EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, expected in December 2025. This is a unique opportunity to shape Europe’s response to its leading cause of death.

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH), together with Members of the European Parliament from the Cardiovascular Health Group are calling for this plan to be bold, coordinated, and equitable, with a strong focus on prevention, treatment, innovation, and fair access to care for all people across Europe.

The campaign aims to highlight the commonalities and intersections between heart disease and stroke, showcasing EACH as a powerful alliance that unites leading experts and partners in both fields, and uniting World Heart Day (29 September) and World Stroke Day (29 October) under one shared message:

The challenge is one, and so must be our response.

On this page, you can watch campaign videos, hear from MEPs, explore upcoming events, and access resources that show how we can make a difference together.

EACH Partners Join Forces for Cardiovascular Health

In this video, EACH partners unite their voices to highlight the urgent need for a bold, coordinated EU Cardiovascular Health Plan. Together, they stress the shared risks and impacts of heart disease and stroke, and call for prevention, innovation, and equitable access to care across Europe.

Watch EACH partners call for prevention, equity & innovation in cardiovascular health.

Voices from the European Parliament: support from the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Cardiovascular Health Group are key allies in the call for stronger EU action on cardiovascular health. On this occasion, they are drawing attention to highlight crucial gaps in cardiovascular health and to call for ambitious EU policies.

Heart and Stroke: two sides of the same Fight

A Holistic Vision for Cardiovascular Health

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Rare Cardiovascular Diseases and the Life-Course Approach

Events

25 September 2025 – High-level event at the European Parliament, Brussels (and online)
Cardiovascular Prevention as the Cornerstone of a Competitive Europe – Scaling Up Lipid Screening to Secure Next Generations
Organised by FH Europe Foundation and co-hosted by MEP Romana Jerković (Chair of the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group) and MEP Tomislav Sokol (SANT Committee on Public Health).
See the programme and register here

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29 September 2025 – World Heart Day Events

Stakeholders webinar on the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan by the European Commission

• 14:10 Video message from Video message from Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare
• 14:15 Preliminary results of the Call for Evidence
• 14:30 Discussion on key themes of the EU plan
  Register here

Gala event in Bucharest
Hosted by the Ministry of Health, Romanian Cardiac Society, and the Romanian Heart Foundation, celebrating the adoption of the Romanian Cardiovascular Health Plan into legislation.

Cardiovascular Health Checks – Zagreb
To mark World Heart Day, EACH will support cardiovascular health checks for the public on 29 September 2025 at Europe Square in Zagreb, Croatia. This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage prevention by engaging directly with citizens.

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14 October 2025 – European Parliament, Brussels
Closing the Gaps in Stroke Care: A Call to Action for Europe
Organised by the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and the European Stroke Organisation (ESO), this event will take place in the lead-up to World Stroke Day, putting stroke at the heart of the forthcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan.

• Time: 15:00–16:30 CET
• Location: European Parliament, Room 1E1, Spinelli Building, Brussels
• Hosted by: MEP Romana Jerković and MEP Billy Kelleher

Resources

A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap

In April 2025, the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) launched its new publication: A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap.

The Roadmap sets out a bold vision: to reduce premature and preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe by one third by 2030. Achieving this requires coordinated action on prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation, supported by EU-wide and national policy measures.

It outlines key pillars for the future EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, including prevention (primordial, primary, and secondary), early intervention, rehabilitation, and quality of life. Concrete proposals include a European Cardiovascular Health Check, a CVH Knowledge Centre, a Health Observatory, digital innovation, national action plans, and a dedicated research agenda to ensure evidence-based, person-centred care across Europe.

11 August, 2025 – Brussels

The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) welcomes
the European Commission’s recent publication of the proposal for the Multiannual
Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. The new budgetary framework presents a
critical opportunity to strengthen the European Union’s commitment to addressing
cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in Europe.

Brussels, 4 May –

More than 1.4 billion people worldwide are living with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], an inherited, independent cardiovascular risk factor strongly linked to heart attacks, strokes, aortic stenosis, and premature cardiovascular events. Yet, only 1–2% of the population is tested. This staggering gap leaves millions vulnerable around the world and makes elevated Lp(a) one of the most under-recognised threats in global heart health.

The Brussels International Declaration on Lp(a) Testing and Management was co-created by the Lp(a) International Task Force, chaired by Prof. Florian Kronenberg, and global leaders at a Lp(a) Global Summit, held in Brussels, on March 24-25, 2025.

The Declaration presents a shared global vision for equitable, systematic Lp(a) testing and care integration in efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease and instead to promote cardiovascular health. It presents five clear, actionable asks for governments, health systems, and global institutions. It is designed to align with and strengthen international CVD prevention strategies across the globe, including efforts like the EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, the European Health Data Space, and emerging national cardiovascular health plans.

Brussels, 30 May and 16 June –

The European Cardiovascular Health Alliance (EACH) is launching a special series of public advocacy webinars to empower patients, advocates, and the wider community, kindly hosted by FH Europe Foundation. Hear directly from the person who led the efforts towards the Council Conclusions on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health in the EU adopted in December 2024, Ms Kitti Almer, the Hungarian Public Health Attaché, who will be joined by representatives of EACH.

Learn how the new EU Council Conclusions and the forthcoming European Cardiovascular Health Plan can drive better prevention, care, and research for cardiovascular diseases. Discover how you can engage policymakers, influence national health strategies, and turn policy into action. Featuring top EU health experts, policymakers, and patient voices, these dynamic sessions will give you the knowledge and tools to be part of Europe’s next major health transformation. Don’t miss this opportunity to be heard – and to shape the future of cardiovascular health across Europe!

This webinar will be run live twice to allow more chances to join and ask your questions. Please share with your networks!

Date option 1 – 30 May – REGISTRATION

Date option 2 – 16 June – REGISTRATION