The European cardiovascular health and cancer communities have issued a direct appeal to EU Heads of State and Government to make health investment a sustained priority ahead of their European Council (EUCO) Summit on 23–24 April. 

The joint statement, signed by the European Alliance on Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), calls for health to remain clearly identifiable and adequately resourced within both the future European Competitiveness Fund and the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of mortality in the European Union.

Together, they are responsible for nine million diagnoses and almost three million deaths each year.

Beyond the profound human toll, these conditions cost the EU close to €500 billion annually, driving up avoidable healthcare costs, reducing workforce productivity, and adding pressure on social systems.

EU citizens consistently rank public health among their top priorities for EU investment, as reflected in the latest Eurobarometer findings.

Members of the European Parliament have also given overwhelming support for a dedicated EU health programme within the next long-term budget. However, health is not yet treated as the political priority it must be—despite its scale, cost and impact.

It is now up to EU Heads of State and Government to translate this ambition into concrete investment and policy commitments.

If Europe is to remain resilient in the face of geopolitical instability, economic pressure, and future health crises, it must significantly scale up investment in cardiovascular and cancer care.

These areas represent the highest disease burden and are among the most vulnerable when health systems come under strain.

The joint statement calls on EU Heads of State and Government to:

• Ensure that health remains a standalone priority with sufficient, dedicated, and ringfenced funding
• Safeguard the visibility, predictability and scale of EU investment in health within the European Competitiveness Fund
• Support the full implementation of both the EU Safe Hearts Plan and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan throughout the full period of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–34
• Recognise health as a strategic driver of European competitiveness, particularly in life sciences, medical technologies, and digital health
• Strengthen the resilience and crisis preparedness of health systems in the face of geopolitical challenges and future shocks

Dr Isabel Rubio, President of the European Cancer Organisation said: ‘The burden of cancer in Europe continues to grow, costing millions of lives and placing increasing strain on our health systems and economies. This is not sustainable. We need a standalone EU health budget to deliver real solutions. The decisions taken on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework will determine whether Europe accelerates progress or loses momentum in cancer care.’

Professor Thomas Lüscher, President of the European Society of Cardiology and representative of EACH said: ‘Cardiovascular health is the bedrock on which broader population health, economic resilience and societal stability are built. When we invest in prevention and care, we reduce long-term costs, strengthen productivity and enable Europe to better withstand future shocks. Health policy must be recognised as an essential component of Europe’s competitiveness strategy.’

Source: European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH)