A public debate on the future health priorities of the European Union: Outcomes, insights and ideas for action

This report summarizes the findings of a public debate (captured through polls, interactive webinars and a stakeholder survey) on the EU’s future health priorities, conducted by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies on behalf of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE). The aim of the report is to:

• raise awareness of the opportunities for EU action in the field of health
• explore key health topics, gauging public sentiment on needs and actions
• gather ideas from the public on what the EU’s future health priorities and mandate could look like.

Among the topics of particular relevance were long-term challenges such as climate change and ageing. These long-term issues are seen as ‘most’ important by all the various constituencies and are identified as key areas where the Commission should take action. Calls for stronger cross-sectoral action, coordination across different policy branches of the Commission and consideration of health issues across other sectors resonated across the public opinion, highlighting a crucial area of focus for future health policy in the European Union. The report includes nine short briefing papers, including on the challenge of climate change.