Last 15 November, the EU Health coalition organized the 3rd EU Health Summit – Towards an EU Health Union, at the Flemish Parliament in Brussels.
On this occasion, the EU Health Coalition published its vision for a European health, supported by a set of recommendations and policy proposals designed to make it happen:
Digital transformation: At this unprecedented moment of change, we must ensure that the European Health Data Space (EHDS) is designed to collect standardised data; that investment is made in digital infrastructure and skills; and that the EU embraces a common approach required to make Europe a world-class AI hub.
Health system integration: To support continuity of care within Member States and across EU borders, we call for EU health policies and programmes to strengthen and measure the implementation of integrated care and Health in All Policies. This should be supported by a dedicated report on ‘EU Health Systems Integration’ in the ‘State of Health in the EU’ process.
Boosting research & innovation: For European citizens to benefit from a strong R&I ecosystem, the EU must invest in human, intellectual and innovation capital; ensure alignment between the EU Industrial and Pharmaceutical Strategies; and drive patient-centric development of preventative and therapeutic tools which address patients’’ unmet medical needs.
Access to innovation: To support patient access to the fruits of research, the EU should establish a monitoring centre for innovative health technologies and clinical practices; support patient-centric and outcomes-based approaches to healthcare; and view healthcare expenditure as an investment not a cost.
Read the recommendations in full
Our Secretary General, Ms Giannico, had the chance to moderate the panel on access to innovation and reducing health inequalities. We need to put the patient at the center of the decision making and to reframe healthcare expenditure that provides long-term value as an investment for people rather than a cost.
