Environment
Human health and the environment are intrinsically linked: to better manage public health risks, we need to protect our ecosystems and promote climate action for social resilience. The EU should ensure that health and well-being indicators are taken into consideration when creating environmental policies. This is why All Policies for a Healthy Europe believes the EU needs a comprehensive framework for implementing the health-proofing of all policies by ensuring that new policy actions both consider and monitor progress towards public health objectives. It is therefore critical to have an overarching EU-level framework to manage the health impacts of cross-sectoral environmental exposure in our communities to support healthy lives.
Digital
All Policies for a Healthy Europe firmly believes that digital health tools and the appropriate skills constitute a clear opportunity to strengthen and scale up health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, management, rehabilitation and palliative care in the EU. This is why the EU should facilitate the right digi-tal skills to promote the understanding of digital health tools and involve the citizens, including patients and care givers, in structuring digital health solutions. Embracing and adopting new technologies and digital solutions in our healthcare systems will have a transformative impact on public health, at both speed and scale.
Economy
Economic productivity is intrinsically linked to healthy societies, yet this link is often overlooked. Nowadays, a healthy and physically active workforce, with a focus on mental health, is crucial for the economic well-being of companies and societies. However, the wealth of society is still considered more important than the well-being of citizens: it is thus now up to European decision-makers and society as a whole to move beyond GDP and report accurately on the well-being of citizens. Indeed, indicators that account for public health and well-being of citizens offer a more accurate reflection on the progress of socio-economic development, beyond the traditional GDP model.
