Rallying policymakers to commit to stronger prevention strategies
From 11 to 14 December 2023, “Vote Cardiovascular Health 2024” exhibition was held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
This initiative, led by the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH), was championed by long-standing advocates MEP Elżbieta Łukacijewska (European People’s Party, Poland) and MEP Radka Maxová (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Czech Republic).
The exhibition highlighted the staggering impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) across Europe.
CVD is responsible for over one-third of all deaths, affecting 60 million people, and costing the EU an estimated €282 billion annually. Specifically, the exhibition showcased CVD figures from the 27 EU Member States and gathered over 100 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) from 20 countries, who pledged action at both EU and national level. It also addressed persistent misconceptions, such as the belief that CVD is a “man’s disease,” despite women being more vulnerable after heart attacks.
This moment marked a significant step forward in the journey toward #CardiovascularHealthForAll, reinforcing the call for an EU-wide Cardiovascular Health Plan and 27 National Action Plans ahead of the 2024 European elections. By engaging Members of the European Parliament, the event amplified advocacy efforts and underlined the urgency of collective action to reduce Europe’s leading health threat.
More information on the exhibition and the press release can be found here.