The European Commission adopted today the 2024 EU4Health work programme, to deliver on key EU health policy priorities as part of the European Health Union. The €752.4 million budget will boost its development and provide funding to address important health-related issues across the EU. This includes increasing the EU’s crisis preparedness through the European Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and ability to respond to challenges such as those linked to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It will also ensure the rollout of key digital initiatives such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which notably aims to harness digital health data to enable better healthcare for patients across the EU.
The 2024 budget will also contribute to strengthening the EU’s resilience to cross-border health threats and delivering the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. In addition, it will support emerging policy initiatives with a special attention to mental health, global health and the developments in medicinal products.
To strengthen the important role civil organisations play in implementing EU health policies, the EU4Health programme continues the operating grants of €9 million in 2024 and will publish a call for Framework Partnership Agreements for 2025 to 2026.
The adoption of the work programme today follows a positive opinion from Member States in the EU4Health Programme Committee on 28 November.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Today’s adoption of the 2024 EU4Health work programme marks another steady step towards an even stronger European Health Union, and shows once more that health policy is a priority for this Commission. The funding under this largest EU health programme ever amplifies our commitment to bolstering health resilience, advancing the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, and delivering on the actions under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to improve treatment, care and quality of life for patients and their families. Civil society has a crucial role to play in reaching out to our citizens and we acknowledge this by continuing operating grants in 2024 and publishing a call for framework partnership agreements for 2025-2026. This funding will also drive critical efforts in mental health, global health, and key advancements in digital health. It is testimony to our collective dedication to a healthier and more resilient EU.”
More information can be found on the factsheet online.
(For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 62253– Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 229 87348)