The future of Europe must be healthy, green and social
La Hulpe Declaration should promote the integration of social, health and environmental policies
The La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of Social Europe must make health equity and wellbeing an integral component of all policymaking. Only then can we tackle current multiple, overlapping and escalating crises, such as the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, social inequalities and the climate emergency.
The La Hulpe Declaration will set the priorities for the EU’s social agenda for 2024-2029 and is expected to be adopted during the High-Level Conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights on April 15-16. The participation of Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the presidents of the European Parliament and the European Council, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, and many other high-profile decision-makers will ensure a very strong political commitment.
Taking part in La Hulpe, EuroHealthNet welcomes the efforts of the Belgian Presidency to reflect on the achievements of the Social Pillar and to guide future policy actions. We know that social and economic factors play a pivotal role in public health outcomes. The 20 principles outlined in the Pillar lay bare the essential conditions needed for everyone to attain their full potential in terms of health and wellbeing, which is why we also consider it a Pillar for Health.
EuroHealthNet’s input for the La Hulpe Declaration
“COVID-19 clearly demonstrated the interconnectedness of health, social, environmental, and economic sectors. It underlined the vital importance of coherence between EU policy frameworks such as the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Green Deal, and the European Health Union.”
Suzanne Costello
President of EuroHealthNet and CEO of the Institute of Public Health Ireland
As we gear up for the conference, EuroHealthNet reiterates that the Declaration should establish a framework for better integration of social, health, and environmental policies, for example, through the European Semester, to set the path for a healthier, more sustainable, and more social European Union.
"Specifically, principle 16 of the Social Pillar states that everyone has the right to timely access to affordable preventive and curative healthcare of good quality. This principle has not received the political attention it deserves and should be prioritised. Health should be the primary factor governing all other principles."
Caroline Costongs
Director of EuroHealthNet
The EuroHealthNet Partnership has developed a Flashcard tool to demonstrate how each principle relates to health. We are keen to contribute to the planned review of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan to assess the adequacy and sufficiency of each of its principles.
Related resources
Improving health equity in Europe: Priorities for the 2024-2029 EU policy landscape
European Pillar of Social Rights Flashcard Tool for public health professionals and decision-makers
The future of public health: EuroHealthNet Foresight report