Europeans want more action on poverty, health and wellbeing
The EuroHealthNet Partnership of public health agencies and organisations is concerned that health and the fight against social and health inequalities are insufficiently prioritised among European and national policymakers.
Interrelated challenges such as conflict on our borders, rising costs of living, the climate crisis and high levels of chronic disease place an immense strain on our health and social services, negatively impacting the quality of life of Europeans. The Spring 2024 Eurobarometer shows that European citizens want to see more action against poverty and social exclusion and support for public health as the main EU campaign topics for the European elections on 6-9 June.1
"Europeans want to see more action to reduce inequality and social exclusion and improve health and wellbeing. A healthier, more sustainable and social Europe should not only be EuroHealthNet’s but our collective vision and mission for a resilient future."
Suzanne Costello
President at EuroHealthNet and CEO of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland
Poverty and health are interlinked and cannot be tackled separately. To ensure a healthier and more resilient future, policymakers need to address social inequalities in health by:
- Narrowing the gap in healthy life years between EU Member States, currently at 15 years;
- Promoting healthy living environments in terms of air quality, access to green spaces and sustainable food, affordable housing, and healthy working conditions;
- Ensuring health systems take a stronger preventive approach, apply behavioural and cultural insights and foster a closer cooperation with social services;
- Improving mental health and wellbeing for everybody, particularly focusing on young people; and
- Addressing production, marketing and consumption of health-harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food high in fat, salt and sugar, and reducing childhood obesity.
This call for action resulted from EuroHealthNet’s General Council meeting. More insights into the future of public health in Europe can be found in EuroHealthNet’s recent Foresight report.
"Health is a fundamental human right and the costs of inaction are high. Investments in health and wellbeing for everyone will benefit the whole society. I am pleased to launch our new Annual Report, which demonstrates these principles and clearly shows how the EuroHealthNet Partnership contributes to addressing social inequalities in health across Europe through practice, policy and research."
Caroline Costongs
Director at EuroHealthNet
The General Council Meeting took place in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on 3-5 June 2024 and we thank the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Trimbos Institute for hosting the Partnership. The General Council also adopted EuroHealthNet’s Annual Report 2023-24 ‘Health equity, wellbeing and a resilient future – setting priorities’.
The meeting was preceded by EuroHealthNet’s Annual Seminar ‘Navigating times of change for public health’ on 3 June. Expert speakers presented new insights on mental health and wellbeing, and how understanding health behaviours in different socioeconomic and cultural contexts can help advancing healthier, more inclusive societies, even in times of change.
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