N e w s l e t t e r

Spotlight on the European Health Union

One of the important lessons of the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 was that in order to tackle this crisis effectively, we had to work together. In the EU, where most of the competences in the area of health traditionally rested with Member States, this understanding led to actions such as the joint procurement of vaccines and the introduction of the EU Digital COVID Certificate.

Moving further towards a European Health Union, the EU has recently established the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). HERA will carry out threat assessments and establish a close dialogue with industry to boost manufacturing capacity for medical countermeasures. In case of a public health emergency at EU level, it can quickly switch to emergency operations.

‘With HERA, we will make sure we have the medical equipment we need to protect our citizens from future health threats. HERA will be able to make swift decisions to safeguard supplies. This is what I promised back in 2020, and this is what we deliver,’ said Ursula von der Leyen at the launch of HERA on 16 September 2021.

HERA is a very topical example of EU action in the health domain, and it is certainly not the only one. Several other important EU actions are ongoing, such as the ‘Beating cancer’ plan and the pharmaceutical strategy for Europe. This edition of our newsletter features publications related to the EU’s health policy, along with publications on several other interesting topics.

Opinion of the expert panel on effective ways of investing in health

This publication explores the concept of solidarity amid health emergencies. Focusing on how the principle of solidarity is enshrined in EU law, it examines implemented and proposed actions of solidarity towards both EU Member States and non-EU countries. The objective is to help strengthen cross-border collaboration and improve preparedness by learning lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying limitations to EU-level actions and determining avenues to overcome them.

Available in English

COVID-19, a turning point for upward convergence in health and healthcare in the EU?

Promoting social cohesion and convergence

The impact of COVID-19 has moved public health up the EU social policy agenda. As the EU directs its efforts towards establishing a European Health Union to guard against future health crises, this policy brief examines the extent to which the EU achieved upward convergence in terms of health and healthcare outcomes along with health expenditure and delivery prior to the pandemic. It also examines convergence patterns in infections and deaths from COVID-19 and in the mitigating measures adopted by the EU and national governments.

Available in English

EU Research and Innovation Projects in Artificial Intelligence

Health

The Commission is proposing rules to ensure the trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, along with a set of actions to strengthen Europe’s leading position in the development of human-centric, secure and inclusive AI. This factsheet presents examples of EU-funded AI projects in the health domain.

Available in English

More on this topic

EU health data centre and a common data strategy for public health

The lack of a clear EU health data architecture and the absence of an EU-level centre for data analysis and processing to support a better response to public health crises is the focus of this study. Through extensive desk review, interviews with key actors, and enquiry into experiences from outside the EU, the study highlights that the EU must obtain the capacity to use data very effectively in order to make data-supported public health policy proposals and inform political decisions.

Available in English

Catch me (if you can): Assessing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via euro cash

Statements from the media and public authorities stoked fears that the COVID-19 virus might be transmitted via cash. This publication aims to evaluate if indeed there is a transmission risk. In addition, it examines the change in the circulation of euro banknotes and the use of cash in transactions during the pandemic.

Available in English

Gender Equality Index 2021

Health

The Gender Equality Index is a key benchmark for gender equality in the EU. The thematic focus of this report, health equality, is explored through three dimensions – health status (including mental health), health behaviours and access to health services.

Available in English

Research and innovation

Innovative EU Research Targets Breast Cancer (Research*eu)

October 2021

Every month, the Research*eu magazine brings you the results of EU-funded research and innovation. Among other subjects, this issue focuses on innovative EU research targeting breast cancer. Through its continued support for research in this area, the EU aims to prevent cancer where possible, and offer earlier diagnosis, better treatment and a higher quality of life where it is not. In doing so, it hopes to save more than 3 million lives by 2030.

Available in English

(Individual article also available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish on the CORDIS website)

Also out recently

EU Pioneers

The trailblazers who helped build today’s Europe

From resistance fighters and Holocaust survivors to politicians and even a movie star, the visionary leaders described in this booklet inspired the creation of the Europe we live in today. The EU pioneers are a diverse group of people, but they shared the same ideal: a peaceful, united and prosperous Europe.

Available in all official languages of the EU

Femicide, its Causes and Recent Trends

What do we know?

Femicide is a violation of the basic human rights to life, liberty and personal security, as well as an obstacle to social and economic development. The term is defined as the act of intentionally killing a female person, either woman or girl, because of her gender, and it is the end-result of combined risk factors existing at individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels. This publication examines the phenomenon and concludes with recommendations.

Available in English

The European Union Institute for Security Studies yearbook of European security

2021

The 2021 yearbook of European security by the European Union Institute for Security Studies provides an overview of events in 2020 that were significant for European security. It also charts major developments in the EU’s external action and security and defence policy. This edition contains a specific section on the EU’s multilateral efforts and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Available in English

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Biodiversity

Deforestation-free products on the EU market

Consumption of beef, palm oil, soy beans, wood, cocoa and coffee in the EU drives deforestation and forest degradation across the world. The EU aims to stop this by no longer allowing deforestation-related commodities and products on the market. Find out more in this factsheet.

Available in all official languages of the EU except Irish

The differing EU Member States’ regulations on prostitution and their cross-border implications on women’s rights

Executive summary

This is the executive summary of a study assessing prostitution regulations in EU Member States and the current situation regarding sex trafficking. The study also identifies cross-border problems and risks and suggests future EU legislation to mitigate them. The objective is to prevent women from being trafficked while also protecting fundamental rights and gender equality. The complete study is also available.

Available in English, French and German

The Book of Dreams

The Book of Dreams tells the story of a generation of Syrian children and young people whose dreams have been interrupted, at best, by more than 8 years of conflict. The storybook takes us on a journey through their past, present, and hopes for a better future.

Available in all official languages of the EU

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