On 3 December 2024, the Council of Ministers adopted Council Conclusions on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health in the EU , a move enthusiastically welcomed by the European Heart Network (EHN) and its 31 members across Europe.
EHN is delighted that the Council Conclusions explicitly invite the European Commission to take decisive action on cardiovascular health (CVH), drawing on the framework established by Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This political leadership is precisely what is needed to reverse the tide on heart health in Europe.
During the meeting of Health Ministers, the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, announced:
“the European Commission’s will develop a new European Cardiovascular Health Plan.”
EHN applauds this announcement as a vital step forward in addressing Europe’s leading cause of death. A European Cardiovascular Health Plan will provide a comprehensive and structured approach needed to tackle cardiovascular disease and its immense human and economic burden.
The Council Conclusions closely align with EHN’s ambitious 7-year strategic plan, Europe’s Cardiovascular Health Opportunities: Leadership for Change, which is centred on three pillars:
Political leadership needs the backdrop of strong coalitions and cooperation. The establishment of EACH (the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health) by EHN, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and MedTech Europe on 27 September 2021 was a crucial milestone in multistakeholder advocacy efforts towards achieving a comprehensive European Cardiovascular Health Plan.
EHN also welcomes the Council Recommendations on smoke- and aerosol-free environments. These measures send a strong signal about addressing one of the key risk factors for cardiovascular health, especially for children and future generations. Political leadership is underpinned by coalition and cooperation.
EHN will continue to work with its partners to advocate for dedicated resources, robust strategies, and sustained political momentum to ensure the vision of a comprehensive European Cardiovascular Health Plan becomes a reality.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, President of the European Heart Network (EHN), stated:
“Guided by our strategy, we strive to reduce premature and preventable deaths due to cardiovascular diseases by 30% by 2030. All policymakers, whether at European or national level, are called upon to implement a comprehensive Cardiovascular Health Plan. The decisions taken by the Council of Ministers are decisive steps, but we must see them through to achieve the goal of a heart-healthy Europe.”
For further information on the Council Conclusions on cardiovascular health and related resources, please refer to the following links: