On October 18, 2022, the European Commission adopted its 2023 Commission work programme (WP 2023), setting out the next steps of its response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the rising energy prices and post-pandemic economic recovery. This work programme also sets out targeted actions to reinforce the European Health Union and bring about healthier and more sustainable societies.
While IDF Europe welcomes the focus on the continuous implementation of the Beating Cancer Plan, the creation of a European Health Data Space and the development of a comprehensive approach to mental health, we regret to see the little attention given to other non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes. Despite the staggering diabetes numbers, the clear requirements for an improvement in the prevention and management of diabetes and other NCDs that were more than clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no continuity of actions that started to take shape with initiatives such as the EU NCD initiative – Healthier Together.
For the EU to be an agent of change and drive action towards a true European Health Union, we must respond more ambitiously, with a shared sense of purpose and united approach to the most pressing health threats of today. Tackling NCDs such as a diabetes requires putting in place a clear implementation roadmap and bringing together initiatives such as the Beating Cancer Plan, the European Health Data Space, the Pharmaceutical Regulation, the Artificial Intelligence Act and others, to achieve a positive and meaningful impact on the health and lives of European citizens.
