The European Union and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are stepping up their cooperation to support national authorities in responding to the Ebola outbreaks currently occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with the aim of rapidly containing transmission, protecting communities and strengthening preparedness in the region, ultimately saving lives. Thanks […]
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Commission evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework highlights progress and emerging public health challenges
The European Commission has published last April 2 its evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It assesses the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive in protecting public health and ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market. The findings show that the EU rules on tobacco control have […]
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Parliament calls for the EU to continue taking action to combat cancer
Need for a specific EU health programme in the next long-term EU budget Improving access to treatment for cancer patients across Europe Reducing financial discrimination for cancer survivors In 2024, 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and 1.27 million died from the disease. MEPs want the EU to renew its political […]
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European Week Against Cancer: providing patients with high-quality healthcare
Each and every EU citizen deserves the very best in cancer care. As it is marked the European Week Against Cancer (25-31 May), the European Commission reaffirms its commitment to achieve a European health union that delivers high-quality healthcare for all. Already through its Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission has provided support to millions of people […]
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Could we live without pain?
“There are people who live without pain,” says Treede, a neurophysiologist at the University of Heidelberg. “They have been known to exist for centuries. Insensitivity to pain, known as analgesia, is thought to be caused by a group of rare genetic diseases. However, being immune to pain does not mean being immune to injury. For […]
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World Cancer Day: Commission publishes Country Cancer
The Commission has published the latest Country Cancer Profiles for all Member States, Norway and Iceland. The 2025 reports show that cancer survival rates are increasing across the EU. At the same time, cancer continues to be a public health concern, and cancer inequalities still persist across Member States. The profiles also demonstrate how cancer […]
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Avian influenza? EU agencies investigate possible mutations
Avian influenza viruses pose an increasing threat, with the potential to adapt to humans and trigger future pandemics. Employing a One Health approach, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have issued scientific advice that assesses avian influenza virus mutations and the potential of these viruses […]
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Over 500,000 children’s reading skills impaired by transport noise in Europe
The EEA briefing ‘The effect of environmental noise on children’s reading ability and behaviour in Europe’ estimates the impact of transport noise on the reading and behaviour of children in Europe. The briefing is based on a technical analysis and report by EEA’s European Topic Centre on Human Health and the Environment. Based on noise data […]
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Cardiovascular health: Council calls for more robust efforts to help prevent cardiovascular diseases
The Council is calling for more robust efforts to help prevent cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the European Union. In conclusions approved today, the Council puts forward a series of measures aimed at improving cardiovascular health in the EU, focusing specifically on prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. “Cardiovascular diseases […]
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