A new Lancet Commission has been established to develop a bold vision for a stronger European Health Union. Bringing together 23 leading experts from 15 countries, the initiative aims to advance policies that strengthen health systems, foster social cohesion, enhance resilience to future crises, and reinforce Europe’s role in global health.
The Commission aims to explore how a stronger and more coordinated European Health Union can improve population health, strengthen resilience to future crises, reduce health inequalities, foster social cohesion, and support Europe’s economic competitiveness. Building on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent advances in EU health policy, the initiative seeks to move beyond fragmented approaches and propose a more ambitious and strategic framework for health cooperation across Europe.
Over the coming months, the Commission will examine key themes including health governance, public health preparedness, innovation, health data, social determinants of health, climate resilience, and the European Union’s role in global health. The final recommendations will provide concrete policy proposals to support a healthier, more resilient, and more integrated Europe.
Read the full announcement published on The Lancet at the link below.
Till Bärnighausen, Maris Jesseb, Vania Coelho, Milena Vainieri / The Lancet, 2026 / DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00807-X