On 29 March, the European Union’s EU4Health programme was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, marking the new programme’s official entry into force. The EUR 5.1 billion programme will undertake a range of actions relation to health across the the EU, with around 20% earmarked for prevention. The programme has four overarching objectives:
Improve and foster health in the Union by:
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Supporting actions for disease prevention, health promotion and addressing health determinants
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Supporting global commitments and health initiatives.
Protect people in the Union from serious cross-border threats to health by:
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Strengthening the capability of the Union for prevention, preparedness and response to cross-border health threats, including through a new bio-preparedness authority, the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)
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Supporting actions complementing national stockpiling on essential crisis relevant products
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Establishing a structure and training resources for a reserve of medical, healthcare and support staff.
Enhance the availability, accessibility and affordability of medicinal products, medical devices and crisis-relevant products by:
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Encouraging sustainable production and supply chains and innovation in the Union, while supporting efficient use of medicinal products.
Strengthening health systems resilience and resource efficiency though:
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Strengthening health data, the uptake of digital tools and services and the digital transformation of healthcare systems, including by supporting the creation of a European Health Data Space
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Promoting the implementation of best practices and promoting data sharing
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Enhancing access to quality, patient-centred, outcome-based healthcare and related care services
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Supporting integrated work among Member States, and in particular their health systems.
You can read the full regulation for the EU4Health programme here:
