European Health Union Now!

In this episode, Sandra Gallina, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), reflects on how the European Health Union has evolved since 2020, from a response to the COVID-19 pandemic into a broader framework for joint action on health. She discusses the importance of putting people and patients at the centre, tackling health inequalities and strengthening prevention, while highlighting the role of One Health and collaboration in building a stronger European health ecosystem.

The European Health Union has evolved significantly since its origins in the COVID-19 crisis, expanding into a broader framework for addressing shared health challenges across Europe. This conversation explores what it means to make health a truly shared European good, with Josep Figueras reflecting on progress to date, the importance of implementation at Member State level, and the steps needed to turn ambition into action.

In this episode, former EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit discusses the role of social rights in the European project. From access to healthcare and fair minimum wages to the balance between competitiveness and well-being, he reflects on how EU policies can support citizens across Member States.

In this episode, MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis reflects on how far the EHU has come and outlines where the next phase must focus, from addressing major health challenges to strengthening EU-level coordination, capacities, and long-term vision.He also discusses how the EU can build on recent strategic momentum and move toward a more integrated pan-European health ecosystem. Tune in to hear his perspective on the next stage of the European Health Union!

In February 2023, the European Parliament approved the creation of a new permanent subcommittee for public health matters, SANT. The subcommittee, established under the umbrella of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), comprises of 30 members and will deal with programmes and specific actions in the field of public health, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, health aspects of bioterrorism, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Dorli-Kahr Gottlieb, Secretary General of the EHFG and one of the initiators behind the European Health Union Initiative (EHUI), sits down with MEP Sara Cerdas in this episode to lean more about SANT and it's priority topics.