All Policies for a Healthy Europe launches its European Health and Well-being Deal  

Deal calls for placing well-being and health at the core of EU policy making, with former EU Commissioner giving opening speech at launch

Brussels, 17 October 2023 – All Policies for a Healthy Europe (AP4HE), an intersectoral initiative advocating for putting citizens’ health and well-being at the heart of European policymaking, held an event last week to launch its new manifesto, the European Health and Well-being Deal.  

The European Health and Well-being Deal advocates for the integration of health and well-being considerations into all EU policy areas by proposing a set of high-level recommendations for the next mandate of the EU, addressing both legislative proposals and EU institutional structure. The manifesto calls for measured change, ensuring citizens are heard and their health and well-being is safeguarded through changes to the EU’s institutional makeup and progress in key policy areas.  

AP4HE’s Chair and former EU health Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: “The European Health and Wellbeing Deal is more than a manifesto and a policy proposal. It is a strong message urging the European Union to demonstrate its responsiveness to citizens' concerns by prioritising health. Universal health coverage is an important pillar to ensure health for all in all EU countries, and is a foundation for healthy people, societies, and economies that can be resilient in times of health emergencies. It is crucial to recognise that investing in health and well-being should not be viewed as a cost but rather as a long-term investment in our society and economy.”  

Central to the European Health and Well-being Deal is the "health in all policies" principle which emphasises the interconnectedness of health with other policy areas and the focus on what health-conscious policies can bring to public life. The manifesto launch event saw two fireside chat-style events with the coalition’s members.  

The first fireside chat was on physical activity as a part of a healthy lifestyle, with speakers Ariane Gatti, AP4HE Comms Group Chair and Communication & Policy Manager at Federation of Sporting Goods Industry (FESI), and Kiera Wason, EU Affairs Manager at EuropeActive. The speakers highlighted inactivity as a grave issue amongst European citizens of all ages and called for a pan-European approach to promoting physical well-being in a simple and accessible manner, while providing relevant trainings for healthcare professionals.  

The second discussion was on digital empowerment in healthcare, with speakers Elisabetta Gatti, Policy Analyst at Johnson & Johnson, and Adela Maghear, Senior EU Affairs Manager at European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC). The speakers emphasised the importance of new investments in digital literacy of healthcare professionals and patients and shed light on the need for the EU to approach data sharing in health positively and constructively.

For more detailed information on the European Health and Well-being Deal and to download a copy of the manifesto, please visit the designated website here. 

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About All Policies for a Healthy Europe  

All Policies for a Healthy Europe is an intersectoral initiative composed of influential non-governmental and not-for-profit organisations, thinktanks, trade associations and individual companies. We champion a broad vision of health policy, encompassing Europe’s role in addressing the multi-dimensional determinants of health and well-being – economic, social, environmental and political. We seek opportunities for collaboration beyond the healthcare sector, and we embrace the potential of data and digital technologies to improve citizens’ well-being. More information here: www.healthyeurope.eu  

About our Knowledge Partners  

Our Knowledge Partners contribute to the strategic direction of the initiative, providing data and guidance on content, and input on political and communications activities. Knowledge Partners should align with initiative values, have a positive public perception and be active in the initiative’s focus areas (Economy that Works for People, a Europe fit for the Digital Age, and the European Green Deal).  

Press Contact

Nina Nagel 
Communications and Press Officer 
All Policies for a Healthy Europe
Phone: +32 488 977 871 
Email: nina@political-intelligence.com