On the 4th of October, Members of the European Parliament adopted the provisional agreement reached by EU institutions to extend the mandate of the ECDC, a key element of the European Health Union. Such revised mandate will strengthen the role of the ECDC in supporting EU Member States in the prevention and control of infectious disease threats, and will help improve European preparedness and response ahead of future public health challenges.

The agreed text refers to the links between communicable and non-communicable diseases; and highlights the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had in the area. The text includes a new revision clause, under which the ECDC mandate should be re-evaluated by 2025, with the first evaluation examining “the feasibility of extending the mandate of the Centre to address the impact of cross-border threats to health on non-communicable diseases”.

ECDA welcomes the endorsement of the extended ECDC mandate. Considering the important links between communicable and non-communicable diseases, data gaps in the area, learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for a more holistic approach to major health challenges in Europe, ECDA recommends that the evaluation be initiated before the end of this Commission’s mandate. 

Image source: European Parliament audiovisual services.