EuroHealthNet backs new EU Parliament Interest Group on health inequalities

EuroHealthNet is proud to support the launch of the European Parliament Interest Group on Health Inequalities, Prevention, and Risk Factors, co-chaired by MEPs from across the political spectrum.

This initiative will be led by a dedicated team of MEP Co-Chairs: Vytenis Andriukaitis (S&D); Manuela Ripa (EPP); Vlad Voiculescu (Renew); Ignazio Marino (Greens/EFA); Aurelijus Veryga (ECR); Ondřej Dostál (Non-attached) and supported by three Secretariats (Eurocare, EuroHealthNet, EUPHA representing ASPHER), with support from EuroHealthNet, Eurocare, and EUPHA (on behalf of ASPHER). The group will promote stronger EU action on prevention, health equity, and the social and commercial determinants of health.

Noncommunicable diseases cause 80% of deaths in the EU, yet prevention receives just 3% of health budgets. This group will push for policies that tackle root causes and reduce health inequalities across Europe. Meanwhile, industries such as tobacco, alcohol, fossil fuels, and ultra-processed food continue to shape policy and obstruct public health action.

Health inequalities also persist across Europe, driven by socioeconomic conditions, education, and access to care. These are avoidable and unjust, and tackling them is essential to building a fairer, healthier Union.

To ensure a healthier and more equitable Europe, the Interest Group is committed to ensuring:

• The EU must prioritise public health across all policies, ensuring effective population wide prevention strategies, strong regulation of health-harming industries, and the safeguarding of civil society’s pivotal role in health policymaking, ensuring their meaningful participation in policy discussions.
• Health policymaking must be protected from industry interference, with clear conflict-of-interest monitoring to uphold public health integrity and prevent undue commercial influence.
• The Cardiovascular (CVD) Health Plan must integrate the legislative proposals of the European Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP), ensuring coherence and alignment with previous NCD prevention efforts.
• Ensuring a Strong Public Health Framework at the EU Level

However, to effectively implement this commitment, the EU must:

• Ensure adequate and sustained funding for prevention and public health research in funding programmes such as the EU4Health program and Horizon Europe, making public health a priority in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must align with public health goals, reducing subsidies for unhealthy products and promoting policies that support healthier food systems.
• Promote equitable public health strategies, ensuring that vulnerable and marginalised communities have equal access to prevention, care, and support, leaving no one behind.
• Incorporate prevention into Europe’s broader health security and preparedness strategy, recognising that public health strengthens resilience in times of crisis.
• Strengthen the public health workforce to reinforce public health systems capacity to better respond to emerging health threats.
• EU legislation must reflect the strong public support for alcohol labelling and front of pack labelling on food enabling informed consumer choices and reducing harm.

More info

Read the full declaration here.