European Union to develop a European Cardiovascular Health Plan

As a proud member of the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH), Global Heart Hub is thrilled with the recent announcement by the European Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi that the European Commission will develop a new European Cardiovascular Health Plan.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe, affecting over 60 million people, claiming almost 2 million lives every year, and costing €282 billion annually.

The announcement by the Health Commissioner reflects the key objectives of the EACH call to action which includes strengthening primary and secondary prevention, early detection and screening, and optimising management and rehabilitative care of those with cardiovascular disease. The European cardiovascular Health Plan will call on European Member States to, among other things;

• Expand screening programs to detect cardiovascular risk factors
• Address socioeconomic and environmental determinants of health
• Improve access to tailored therapies to the needs of patients and families

Responding to this announcement, Global Heart Hub’s Executive Director Neil Johnson said “this is a significant milestone for the cardiovascular health of all European citizens. As patient organisation partners and key stakeholders within EACH, we warmly welcome this news as a critically important step forward in promoting cardiovascular health across the European Union. Hopefully this decision will provide the necessary impetus to drive and support the development and adoption of national cardiovascular health strategies across all EU member states. It is vitally important now that the European Commission ensures the availability of adequate funding to drive cardiovascular health actions in an integrated way, through primary, secondary and tertiary care”

Global Heart Hub congratulates the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the advocacy work of all its partners in promoting cardiovascular health for all.

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