With the COVID-19 pandemic, war returning to Europe and the accompanying energy crisis, a worsening economic outlook, all on top of a climate crisis, today’s young Europeans are growing up in a volatile and difficult world. Concerns about economic prosperity, increasing competition for jobs, rising inflation and property prices make it difficult for young people to get ahead in life, to afford housing, to attain economic stability and to achieve a sense of satisfaction in society.

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Decline in mental health and societal well-being in young Europeans

European integration has been a key driver of growth, peace and social prosperity. But challenges remain and crises could arise. Further European integration can help respond to present and future challenges and generate benefits of over €2.8 trillion per year by 2032, as shown in one of latest EPRS studies, “Increasing European added value in an age of global challenges: Mapping the cost of non-Europe (2022-2032)”. In this podcast, we will look at the benefits for EU citizens from more EU action in the health sector to ensure that it is strong enough to face present and future challenges.

EPRS podcast policy - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Towards a joint EU health policy

Quantum technologies could be a game changer in the digital transformation of healthcare. By enabling much faster and more complex data analysis, they could open the door to accelerated discovery and development of novel therapeutics, improved diagnostics and treatments including for rare and complex diseases, true personalised medicine, and better data-driven health policy planning.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if quantum technologies revolutionised healthcare?

Managing the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic remains a challenge. While EU vaccination rates have reached three quarters of the population, new SARS-CoV-2 variants keep emerging in the EU. Although these variants appear to be generally less severe, they still pose challenges to health systems. The implementation of a globally effective vaccine strategy remains key to enhancing Europe's resilience. If measures are successful, it is expected that SARS-CoV-19 – while still present – will enter a stage of seasonality, characterised by higher case numbers in the winter months, similarly to the flu. To achieve this, rethinking present surveillance and monitoring schemes, ensuring the distribution of vaccines worldwide and implementing an action plan against disinformation and misinformation could be crucial.

EPRS STOA podcast - Responding better to future pandemics

Cé gur glacadh céimeanna le céad bliain anuas chun deiseanna san eolaíocht a fheabhsú do mhná agus do chailíní ar fud an domhain, tá go leor fós le déanamh. Mar gheall ar an ngéarchéim sláinte, tá comhionannais i mbaol agus tá an dul chun cinn ag moilliú in go leor réimsí. Déanann an podchraoladh seo ceiliúradh ar Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan agus na gCailíní san Eolaíocht. Féachann sé ar an gcaoi ar chuidigh mná sa chomhrac i gcoinne phaindéim COVID-19, agus féachann sé freisin ar an gcaoi arb iad mná is mó a bhí thíos leis an ngéarchéim.

Mná sa chúram sláinte: COVID-19 agus éagothromaíochtaí ag dul in olcas - GA

While killing all microorganisms in our bodies may seem tempting to some germaphobes, scientific evidence indicates that beneficial microorganisms (that live in nearly ubiquitous communities called microbiota) are an essential component of human health, and could form a new frontier for personalised medicine to fight non-communicable diseases and improve human health. In this podcast, we’ll look at the microorganisms that live in our bodies and the incredible role they play in assuring our health.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we killed all microorganisms in our bodies?

Fear, worries, insecurity… In this episode, we are talking about the effects of the pandemic on people’s mental health, especially young people, and look at the recommendations and guidance given by European and international organisations to deal with this ‘silent pandemic'.

EPRS policy podcast - Mental health and the pandemic

An raibh a fhios agat go mbeidh 30% de mhuintir na hEorpa os cionn 65 bliana d’aois in 2060? Chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin atá roimh shochaí atá ag dul in aois, tá an earnáil sláinte ag tiontú ar an teicneolaíocht dhigiteach. Caithimis súil anois ar roinnt de na cláir a dhéanann saol na seanóirí níos éasca.

Seo an méid a dhéanann an Eoraip do na seanóirí a úsáideann ríomhsheirbhísí sláinte

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

ENVI - Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

<center> </center>

The right to health, including sexual and reproductive health, is protected internationally.&nbsp;Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare goods and services is a fundamental component of sexual and reproductive rights.

Under international human rights law and standards, European Union Member States should ensure access to safe and quality sexual and reproductive healthcare.

A range of United Nations (UN) treaties ban discrimination in general terms, effectively outlawing discrimination in sexual and reproductive health and rights. These rights include the right to health and the right to family planning, equal access to service, freedom from violence and the right to life. Specific international treaty protections exist to combat discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability but not sexual orientation or gender identity.

At European level, the Council of Europe protects sexual and reproductive health and rights through the European Convention on Human Rights and through the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention).

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

The Treaty of Lisbon has enhanced the importance of health policy, stipulating that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities’. This objective is to be achieved through Community support to Member States and by fostering cooperation. 
Primary responsibility for health protection and, in particular, the healthcare systems continues to lie with the Member States. However, the EU has an important role to play in improving public health, preventing and managing diseases, mitigating sources of danger to human health, and harmonising health strategies between Member States. The EU has successfully implemented a comprehensive policy, through the Health Strategy ‘Health for Growth’ and its action programme (2014-2020) and a body of secondary legislation.

Healthcare safety - 8th Parliamentary term

In 2017, the Parliament adopted a Resolution on options for improving access to medicines. The Treaty of Lisbon has enhanced the importance of health policy, stipulating that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities’.

Primary responsibility for health protection and, in particular, the healthcare systems continues to lie with the Member States. However, the EU has an important role to play in improving public health, preventing and managing diseases, mitigating sources of danger to human health, and harmonising health strategies between Member States. The EU has successfully implemented a comprehensive policy, through the Health Strategy ‘Health for Growth’ and its action programme (2014-2020) and a body of secondary legislation.

Healthcare safety (2019-2020)

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put European health systems under enormous strain, revealing gaps in the way public health emergencies are addressed however Parliament has consistently promoted a coherent EU public health policy.

The European Commission's proposal for a new EU Health programme, EU4Health, aims to fill these gaps. EU4Health's three main priorities are: tackling cross-border health threats; making medicines available and affordable; and strengthening health systems.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on health (2020)

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has put European health systems under enormous strain, revealing gaps in the way public health emergencies are addressed. The European Parliament has consistently promoted a coherent EU public health policy.

The pandemic shows the importance of coordination among European countries to protect people’s health, both during a crisis and in normal times when we can tackle underlying health conditions, invest in strong health systems and train healthcare workers.

The European Commission's proposal for a new EU Health programme, EU4Health, aims to fill these gaps. EU4Health's three main priorities are: tackling cross-border health threats; making medicines available and affordable; and strengthening health systems.

With EU4Health, the EU will invest €5.3 billion in current prices in actions with an EU added value.

EU4Health will pave the way to a European Health Union by investing in urgent health priorities: the response to the COVID-19 crisis and reinforcing the EU’s resilience to cross-border health threats, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.

The European Health Union will improve EU-level protection, prevention, preparedness and response to human health hazards.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on health

Stella Kyriakides, born on 10 March 1956 in Nicosia, is a Cypriot psychologist and politician.

After the hearing by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner-designate, Health

EP Plenary session  - Commission statement - Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU

Press conference on establishing a European Health Data Space

EP Plenary session - European Health Data Space

ENVI - Mid-term Spanish Council Presidency - Exchange of views with José Manuel Miñones Conde, Minister for Health

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Mental health at work

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Medicine shortages and strategic healthcare autonomy in the EU

FEMM - Women's reproductive health and specificities, including SRHR and access to abortion

European Mental Health Week 2023 ' How Mentally Healthy Communities Can Make Us Thrive '

EP Plenary session - EU Global Health Strategy

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Keeping people healthy, water drinkable and soil liveable: getting rid of forever pollutants and strengthening EU chemical legislation now

ENVI committee - Exchange of views with Ms Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, as part of the structured dialogue

Policy dialogue ' Energy Poverty, Gendre and Health in the Mediterranean

COVI Special Committee - Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

New Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) - constitutive meeting

European Health Tech Summit

Hybrid meeting ' A comprehensive approach to mental health in Europe: plan, act, change '

EP Plenary session - European Citizens’ Initiative Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Joint committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and committee on Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

LIBE

Subcommittee on Public Health

SANT

Joint committee on Transport and Tourism and committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

TRAN

Joint committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Joint committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

EP Plenary session - Voting session (part 2) incl. European Health data space and violence against women

Tomislav SOKOL (EPP, HR) and Annalisa TARDINO (ID, IT), co-rapporteurs, hold a press conference on establishing a European Health Data Space. The draft position, prepared by the Environment and Civil Liberties committees, aims to give citizens the means to control their personal healthcare data and facilitate secure sharing for research and public health purposes. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Tomislav SOKOL (EPP, HR) and Annalisa TARDINO (ID, IT), co-rapporteurs, on establishing a European Health Data Space

MEPs debate on the report by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products and to make them safer by at least 50%; they would also reduce the use of so-called “more hazardous products” by 65%, compared to the 2013-2017 average. Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur.

Sustainable use of plant protection products: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on the report by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products and to make them safer by at least 50%; they would also reduce the use of so-called “more hazardous products” by 65%, compared to the 2013-2017 average. Opening statements by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Sustainable use of plant protection products: opening statements by Sarah WIENER (Greens/EFA, AT), Rapporteur, Clara AGUILERA GARCÍA (S&D, ES), Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

MEPs debate the proposal to extend the authorisation to use glyphosate in the EU for ten more years.Glyphosate is currently approved in the EU until 15 December 2023 and can therefore be used as an active substance in plant protection products (pesticides) until that date, if authorised by national authorities. On 19 September 2023, the Commission put forward a draft regulation proposing to renew the approval of glyphosate, subject to certain conditions, for another ten years with a view to making a final decision by 15 December 2023. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

The proposed extension of glyphosate in the EU: closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

MEPs debate the proposal to extend the authorisation to use glyphosate in the EU for ten more years.Glyphosate is currently approved in the EU until 15 December 2023 and can therefore be used as an active substance in plant protection products (pesticides) until that date, if authorised by national authorities. On 19 September 2023, the Commission put forward a draft regulation proposing to renew the approval of glyphosate, subject to certain conditions, for another ten years with a view to making a final decision by 15 December 2023. Opening statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The proposed extension of glyphosate in the EU: opening statement by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Parliament debates the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan’s recent military seizure of the mountainous South Caucasus enclave. Azerbaijan’s latest offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September saw Baku regain military control of the long-disputed region and has resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from their homes. Closing by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union.

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack: closing by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union

Parliament debates the dire situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, following Azerbaijan’s recent military seizure of the mountainous South Caucasus enclave. Azerbaijan’s latest offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September saw Baku regain military control of the long-disputed region and has resulted in a mass exodus of ethnic Armenians from their homes. Opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Parliament discusses the current situation in Uganda in relation to recent developments in law to pass new anti-lgtbi laws. Closing statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda: closing statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Parliament discusses the current situation in Uganda in relation to recent developments in law to pass new anti-lgtbi laws. Opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda: opening statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

MEPs debate on a new law obliging companies to ensure products sold in the EU do not come from deforested land anywhere in the world. The new regulation, already agreed with the EU member states, helps fight climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation related to EU consumption of products from cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya, wood, rubber, charcoal and printed paper. Closing statement by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Deforestation Regulation: closing statement by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

MEPs debate on a new law obliging companies to ensure products sold in the EU do not come from deforested land anywhere in the world. The new regulation, already agreed with the EU member states, helps fight climate change and biodiversity loss by preventing deforestation related to EU consumption of products from cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm-oil, soya, wood, rubber, charcoal and printed paper. Opening statements by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), Rapporteur, Karin KARLSBRO (Renew, SE), ITRE Committee; Anna CAVAZZINI (Greens/EFA, DE), INTA Committee, Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Hildegard BENTELE (EPP, DE), DEVE; Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI) AGRI Committee.

Deforestation Regulation: opening statement by Christophe HANSEN (EPP, LU), Rapporteur, Karin KARLSBRO (Renew, SE), Anna CAVAZZINI (Greens/EFA, DE), Stella KYRIAKIDES, EU Commissioner for Health, Hildegard BENTELE (EPP, DE), Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her opening remarks on the safe release of the American journalist Evan Gershkovich jailed in Russia and on the worrying reports on the deteriorating health situation of the Sakharov Price winner Alexej Navalny. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the safe release of the American journalist Evan Gershkovich, and on the worrying reports on the deteriorating health of Alexej Navalny

MEPs from the COVI Committee (Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future) exchange with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health, Food and Safety Commissioner on new regulation on cross-border threats to health, a new EU network of reference laboratories, the long-Covid side effects and the transparency around vaccines contracts. In a second part, they exchange with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency on the recommendations to strengthen EMA’s response to future public health emergencies. Extracts.

Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA): extracts - COVI Committee

The new subcommittee on public health (SANT) elected MEP Bartosz Arłukowicz as Chair, as well as the four Vice-Chairs, at its constitutive meeting, Chair: Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), First Vice-Chair: Tudor CIUHODARU (S&D, RO), Second Vice-Chair: Irena JOVEVA (Renew Europe, SI), Third Vice-Chair: Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA), Fourth Vice-Chair: - Joanna KOPCIŃSKA (ECR, PL). According to its approved mandate, the subcommittee will deal with pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, the health aspects of bioterrorism, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

New Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT): extracts from the constitutive meeting, election of the Chair and statement by Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL) new elected Chair

MEPs debate on a European citizens’ initiative on phasing out synthetic pesticides and creating bee-friendly agriculture. Closing statement Mairead MCGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

European Citizens’ Initiative "Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment": closing statement by Mairead MCGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

MEPs debate on a European citizens’ initiative on phasing out synthetic pesticides and creating bee-friendly agriculture. MEPs debate (part 2)

European Citizens’ Initiative "Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment": MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on a European citizens’ initiative on phasing out synthetic pesticides and creating bee-friendly agriculture. MEPs debate (part 1)

299 torthaí

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU

Press conference on establishing a European Health Data Space

EP Plenary session - European Health Data Space

ENVI - Mid-term Spanish Council Presidency - Exchange of views with José Manuel Miñones Conde, Minister for Health

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Mental health at work

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Medicine shortages and strategic healthcare autonomy in the EU

FEMM - Women's reproductive health and specificities, including SRHR and access to abortion

European Mental Health Week 2023 ' How Mentally Healthy Communities Can Make Us Thrive '

EP Plenary session - EU Global Health Strategy

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Keeping people healthy, water drinkable and soil liveable: getting rid of forever pollutants and strengthening EU chemical legislation now

ENVI committee - Exchange of views with Ms Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, as part of the structured dialogue

Policy dialogue ' Energy Poverty, Gendre and Health in the Mediterranean

COVI Special Committee - Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

New Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) - constitutive meeting

European Health Tech Summit

Hybrid meeting ' A comprehensive approach to mental health in Europe: plan, act, change '

European Health Tech Summit

EP Plenary session - European Citizens’ Initiative Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment