On the 18th of September 2020, ECDA had a virtual meeting with the Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides, as well as Cabinet members and officials from DG SANTE, to discuss chronic disease prevention and control in Europe, the EU4Health Programme and Europe’s Beating Cancer plan.

Commissioner Kyriakides expressed the Commission’s dedication to a European Health Union that prevents major chronic diseases and supports chronic disease patients – irrespective of the pandemic; and to negotiating a strong EU4Health programme that helps achieve objectives proposed by the Commission in the field. These will be supported by plans to expand the European Reference Networks (ERNs) and strengthen healthcare systems in order to address the challenges that were exemplified by the COVID-19 crisis.

She also reaffirmed the intention to reinforce the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The EU Pharmaceutical Strategy and Europe’s Beating Cancer plan will be important instruments to improve access to care and prevent chronic diseases as well as comorbidities.

The crisis is an opportunity to do more for Europeans’ health and the Commission intends to act upon it.