Joint Statement – Investing in Health for Europe’s Competitiveness, Resilience and Long-Term Growth
Amsterdam, 20 April 2026 - The European cardiovascular health and cancer communities have issued a strong appeal to the EU Heads of State and Government to make health investment a sustained priority ahead of their European Council (EUCO) Summit on 23–24 April.
The joint statement, signed by the European Alliance on Cardiovascular Health (EACH) and the European Cancer Organisation (ECO), calls for health to remain effectively protected and adequately funded within the future European Competitiveness Fund as part of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034.
Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the European Union. Together, they are responsible for nine million diagnoses and almost three million deaths each year. Beyond the profound human toll, these conditions cost the EU close to €500 billion annually [1], driving up avoidable healthcare costs, reducing workforce productivity, and adding pressures on social systems.
The time for political action is now
EU citizens have consistently placed public health among their biggest concerns and ranked it at the top of their priorities for the EU budget in the latest Eurobarometer edition [2]. Members of the European Parliament have also given overwhelming support for a dedicated EU health programme within the proposed budget [3]. However, health is not yet treated as the political priority it must be—despite its scale, cost and impact. It is now up to EU Heads of State and Government to translate this ambition into concrete investments and policy commitments.
If Europe is to remain resilient in the face of geopolitical instability, economic pressure, and future health crises and a leader in science and innovation, it must significantly scale up investment in cardiovascular and cancer care and research, two areas representing the highest disease burden and among the most vulnerable to disruption when health systems come under strain.
The joint statement calls on EU Heads of State and Government to:
Funding health is not a cost — it is a strategic investment in Europe’s future.
As the European Parliament lead committee on the Report on the Regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) holds a decisive responsibility in safeguarding Europe’s progress, ambition, and global leadership in the fight against cancer.
Against this backdrop, and with the deadline to table amendments set for 6 May, the EU’s cancer and cardiovascular communities urge all members of the ITRE Committee to table targeted amendments, prioritising the following statement:
‘The EU4Health programme has demonstrated its value as a transformative instrument for strengthening public health systems and securing the Union’s strategic autonomy. Recognising that a healthy population and a resilient workforce are fundamental to European competitiveness, health must remain a standalone programme with strong levels of dedicated funding to implement the EU Safe Hearts Plan and sustain the progress of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.’
FH Europe Foundation, Partner of the EACH, stands ready to work with EU institutions and Member States to ensure that Europe’s competitiveness agenda fully reflects the strategic importance of investing in health.
Download the Joint Statement incl. Amendments
References
[1] The close to €500 billion estimation was created by summing the burden of cardiovascular disease and cancer from two sources:
[2] Standard Eurobarometer 104 - Autumn 2025 – On the question QF3ab: ‘And on which of the following would you like EU budget to be spent firstly? Any others?’ The answer: ‘Employment, social affairs and public health was placed on top, maintaining stable support when compared to the previous edition’.
[3] On 4 February 2026, the European Parliament called for the EU to renew its political commitment, funding and coordination to support full implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, with 427 votes in favour, 15 against and 93 abstentions. The call also highlighted the need for a dedicated EU health programme in the next EU’s next long-term budget. More information here.
About EACH
The European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH) brings together 23 leading European and international organisations to promote cardiovascular health as a policy priority at EU level. The Alliance provides a platform to aggregate knowledge and expertise of key stakeholders active in the field of cardiovascular health, and to advise and guide policymakers. The Alliance calls for greater focus on improving cardiovascular health and reducing the burden cardiovascular disease at European level.
About the European Cancer Organisation
The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) is the largest non-profit, multi-professional federation in the European cancer community. It brings together hundreds of different professional societies and patient groups to advocate for more effective, efficient, and equitable cancer care. More information is available here.
For more information, please contact:
| EACH – Sophie Millar
EACH Secretariat each@escardio.org |
ECO - Alvaro Jimber
ECO Communications Officer alvaro.jimber@europeancancer.org |