A major milestone in EU health policy
On 23 April 2025, the European Parliament marked the scene of a major milestone in EU health policy: the inaugural meeting of the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group, chaired by MEP Romana Jerković (S&D, Croatia) and coordinated by the European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH). This new cross-party group was created to unite policymakers and stakeholders around one clear goal, making cardiovascular health a priority across Europe.
During this first meeting, EACH launched its flagship publication: “A European Cardiovascular Health Plan: The Roadmap for Action.” This ambitious plan sets out a bold vision to reduce premature and preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) by one-third by 2030. To achieve this, the Roadmap calls for coordinated action across prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and quality of life, supported by EU-wide and national measures.
The document proposes practical steps such as introducing a European Cardiovascular Health Check, creating a CVH Knowledge Centre, and establishing a Health Observatory, alongside digital innovation and a dedicated research agenda. These initiatives aim to strengthen prevention, improve early diagnosis, and ensure equitable access to care for millions of Europeans.
The launch of the Roadmap and the creation of the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group represent a significant milestone in the fight against Europe’s leading cause of death and disability, and a clear signal that cardiovascular health is moving more than even before to the top of the EU health agenda.
You can access the EACH roadmap here and watch event highlights on the EACH YouTube Channel.