{"id":148196,"date":"2023-12-19T03:00:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T02:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=148196"},"modified":"2023-12-18T13:13:45","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T12:13:45","slug":"reports-confirm-the-european-health-union-is-better-prepared-to-combat-health-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/reports-confirm-the-european-health-union-is-better-prepared-to-combat-health-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"Reports confirm the European Health Union is better prepared to combat health threats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health ranks among the top priorities of European citizens according to recent Eurobarometer surveys. Two new reports published show how the EU has responded to the need and demand for more resilient, robust and equitable health systems<\/strong>, which are better prepared for potential crises. Both documents also spotlight areas in which more work is needed.<\/p>\n

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Four years after COVID-19 cases were first detected, many of the solutions brought forward to respond more effectively to the pandemic have been enshrined into EU legislation. The aim has been to strengthen our collective preparedness against health crises, as part of a strong European Health Union.\u00a0<\/em>The\u00a02023 State of Health Preparedness report<\/strong>\u00a0focuses on the steps taken by the EU\u00a0<\/strong>to improve its capacity to face serious cross-border health threats.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0State of Health in the EU: Synthesis report 2023<\/strong>\u00a0examines how health systems are performing across the Union in meeting the needs of European citizens. It includes dedicated\u00a0Country Health Profiles<\/strong>, where particular attention is given to the mental health impact of COVID-19 and reforms carried out by Member States to address this growing challenge.<\/p>\n

A better prepared European Health Union<\/strong><\/p>\n

The purpose of the yearly\u00a0State of Health Preparedness Report\u00a0<\/strong>is to map EU actions taken since the pandemic to address cross-border health threats. The\u00a0Regulation on serious cross-border threats to health<\/strong>, in force for almost one year, is the backbone of the EU’s health security architecture. It has created a solid basis for\u00a0more effective preparedness and a coordinated response to cross-border health risks<\/strong>. It\u00a0<\/strong>will allow Member States to quickly react to future crises.<\/p>\n

Structures like the EU Health Security Committee have been upgraded, EU laboratory capacities are being enhanced and EU funding of nearly\u00a0<\/strong>\u20ac<\/strong>100 million from the EU4Health programme is being channelled to Member States<\/strong>, to improve their national surveillance systems. Member States continue to coordinate closely within the Health Security Committee, which has issued an\u00a0Opinion<\/a>\u00a0on preparing COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases for winter 2023\/24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Mental health: member states to take action across multiple levels, sectors and ages
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This report notes that vaccination continues to be key to preventing the spread of infectious diseases<\/strong>. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU Vaccines Strategy supported the development of vaccines and ensured their availability to all Member States as well as to third countries, saving tens of millions of lives globally. However, equally important is routine life-long vaccination and this should be implemented according to the existing vaccination schedules.<\/p>\n

In terms of the most pressing health threats, the Preparedness Report sheds light on the issue of\u00a0antimicrobial resistance<\/strong>\u00a0(AMR), which causes over 35,000 deaths a year in Europe, and needs urgent action. Threats from\u00a0animal diseases and the rising health impacts of climate change<\/strong>\u00a0are two other major challenges highlighted in the report, stressing the importance of taking a\u00a0\u2018One Health’ approach\u00a0<\/strong>to tackling current and future health threats.<\/p>\n

The EU continues to be actively engaged in the ongoing negotiations for the adoption of an\u00a0international agreement<\/a>\u00a0on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (the \u201cPandemic Agreement<\/strong>\u201d). It is also committed to strengthening International Health Regulations.<\/p>\n

A strong commitment to improving mental health in our Union<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0State of Health in the EU report<\/strong>, accompanied by\u00a029 Country Health Profiles<\/a>, looks at how health systems across the Union are performing, and highlights three key findings that need to be addressed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic:<\/p>\n