SANT Committee presents initiative report on EU strategy for cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases

Following the European Commission's presentation of the Safe Hearts Plan in December last year, the European Parliament is now also addressing the issue. On 2 February, Croatian S&D MEP Romana Jerković presented the first draft of her initiative report on the EU strategy on cardiovascular disease to the Committee on Public Health (SANT). The rapporteur highlighted the key challenges in dealing with cardiovascular disease and called for a stronger focus on prevention and long-term, earmarked funding.

Regulation of avoidable risk factors

The report focuses on reducing avoidable risk factors through targeted regulation. To reduce the attractiveness and availability of tobacco and nicotine products, Jerković proposes a broad package of measures that specifically targets price, product design and marketing through taxation and market regulation. Unlike the Commission's Safe Hearts Plan, the draft report also explicitly names alcohol as a risk factor and calls for mandatory and clearly visible warnings.

On the subject of nutrition and exercise, Jerković also makes it clear that high consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in fat, sugar and salt is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This is to be addressed through mandatory front-of-pack labelling, reformulation targets for salt, sugar and saturated fatty acids, and restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods. In addition, nutrition education in schools is to be expanded.

Social and environmental determinants of health

The report also places greater emphasis on socio-economic determinants of health. In addition to social, gender and regional inequalities in access to prevention and care, environmental factors such as air pollution and noise are also identified as health risks that have previously been underestimated.

Strengthening early detection and primary care

Jerković also sees a need for action in the area of early detection. This should be more closely aligned with individual risk profiles and, above all, take place in primary care. Evidence-based EU guidelines, early screening and targeted health checks for people under 35 who are at risk are proposed. The report also points out the need to establish suitable care structures in structurally weak regions.

Care and equality

In the area of treatment and rehabilitation, the initiative report calls for fast and fair access to high-quality medical care throughout the entire care chain. According to Jerković, vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration must be seen as integral parts of effective cardiovascular care. At the same time, she points out in the report the importance of comprehensive care approaches for multimorbidity and the continuing widespread underdiagnosis and insufficient provision of care for women.

Evaluation and outlook

Jerković's draft report received broad cross-party support in the European Parliament's Public Health Committee. At the same time, it was repeatedly emphasised that ambitious goals would be difficult to achieve without reliable funding. In the debate, Jerković made it clear that this was not a question of being ‘for or against industry’, but of protecting public health.

The DSV also welcomes the report's prevention-oriented approach. In particular, it welcomes the greater consideration given to socio-economic factors and the clear emphasis on the importance of guideline-based treatment, continuous aftercare and needs-based access to rehabilitation. However, from the DSV's point of view, the focus should clearly be on contextual prevention. Broad-based screening programmes carry risks such as overdiagnosis. Targeted, risk-based early detection in primary care appears to be more effective.

Members of Parliament now have time to submit amendments to the draft report. The final vote in the plenary session of the European Parliament is currently scheduled for 15 June.