European Health Union initiative
The European Health Union initiative calls for a strong European Health Union where no one is left behind, solidarity and security for all Europeans is strengthened, and environmental sustainability ensured.
By facilitating diverse events and activities, the European Health Union initiative (EHUi) calls for an all-encompassing European Health Union (EHU) and invites the people of Europe to actively participate in shaping health policies that contribute to the long-term sustainable development of the European Union. While a substantial number of the goals outlined by the EHUi in its manifesto are today also key actions of the European Health Union, the EHUi continues to advocate, raise awareness, and facilitate cross-sectoral dialogue on its vision for the EHU and for European solidarity in health. We must strive to build a Health Union where everyone can achieve optimal health throughout their lives.
Goals
A European Health Union will:
Strive for the health and wellbeing of all Europeans, with no one left behind;
Strengthen solidarity within and among Member States, based on the principle of progressive universalism, providing support, including universal health coverage, for all, but with particular attention to the needs of those who are disadvantaged;
Ensure environmental sustainability, by adopting the European Green Deal and prioritising measures to promote One Health, the concept that links our health with that of the animals and plants with which we share this planet;
Provide security for all Europeans, protecting them from the major threats to health and from the vulnerability that is created by living a precarious existence;
Enable everyone’s voice to be heard, so that policies that affect their health are created with them and not for them.
Manifesto
The above mentioned goals are presented in the Manifesto for a European Health Union. The Manifesto advocates for a stronger European Health Union and suggests policies and other measures on how the goals can be achieved.
The Manifesto is explained further here.
“We, as European citizens, call on our political leaders, meeting in the European Council, to take the next step, to commit to creating a true European Health Union.”