Safeguarding health together: preparing the European Union's health priorities

Abstract

The European Commission has launched a public debate on health priorities of the European Union in partnership with the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Earlier during the EPH Conference (Thursday), a workshop was held in which these matters were discussed. This plenary session is a follow-up to the workshop and takes the debate a step further. In the debate that has taken place so far, various stakeholders expressed their views on the actions and results of the current health programme. This short review is followed by in-depth discussions about the future. This plenary session will allow participants to dig deeper into policy-relevant topics. How do we keep health at the forefront of political agendas? How do we tackle current challenges such as climate change and ageing, as well as strengthening and promoting the sustainable transformation of health systems in the digital age? Panellists will provide expert knowledge and opinions to steer the debate. The audience is invited to share their perspectives. The ultimate aim of this public debate is to generate ideas, gather perspectives and to establish a meaningful dialogue that can support the European Union in carving out health priorities for the future. Moderator: Josep Figueras, Director European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Speakers/Panelists: Isabel de la Mata, Principal Adviser for Health and Crisis Management, Health and Food Safety Directorate General, European Commission Martin McKee, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK Matthias Wismar, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies