Employment, Social Policy, Health and Education topics in the agenda of the new European Commission

The Council of the European Union has called on the European Commission to maintain health as a priority in its upcoming five-year term. In conclusions approved on 21st June, member states acknowledged the work already carried out to improve health policy coordination at the EU level and highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the EU’s health system.

Key areas for strengthening the European Health Union were outlined, including tackling significant challenges such as health workforce shortages. Member states and the Commission are encouraged to address these shortages through investment, digital tools, knowledge sharing, cooperation at the EU level, and adapted regulatory frameworks.

The Council emphasised that priority healthcare needs should be addressed. Establishing an independent, needs-evidenced database can help identify unmet health-related patient and societal needs. Next steps could include setting up a voluntary, member-state-driven mechanism for evaluating and prioritising these needs and coordinating public support at the EU level to address the most pressing health-related unmet needs. The Council also called on member states and the Commission to strengthen action in priority areas by improving the EU’s implementation tools, including EU4Health, and developing new ones such as an EU health investment hub.

Furthermore, the Council pointed to areas requiring further action, such as the prevention of non-communicable diseases, which account for nearly 90% of all deaths in the EU. It urged member states and the Commission to promote healthy lifestyles and environments, adopt the legislative proposals under Europe’s Beating Cancer plan, and strengthen the work on the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative.

In addition, the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union has presented its priorities for the second half of 2024.

For the Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs Council, the Presidency will focus on improving employment conditions, the working environment, and the quality of employment. Achieving equal opportunities and gender equality is a cross-sectoral policy objective. The Hungarian Presidency also intends to address mental health issues and promote intergenerational solidarity and cooperation.

In the social field, the focus will be on the social and economic integration of persons with disabilities. Following the coronavirus epidemic, attention must be given to health policy segments that were previously neglected or delayed. The Hungarian Presidency aims to advance the negotiation of the EU pharmaceutical package, which could be a significant commitment for Member States. Linked to demographic and competitiveness priorities, the health focus will be on tackling cardiovascular disease and reflecting on organ transplantation. A mental health event will be organised in October in cooperation with the WHO.

For the Education, Youth, Culture, and Sport Council, the Hungarian Presidency’s educational priorities will address current issues such as competitive European higher education, adaptation to digital and green transitions, and strategic partnerships in education and training. The Presidency will also negotiate the Higher Education Package, which includes recommendations on a European quality assurance and recognition system, attractive and sustainable careers in higher education, and a common European degree.

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