Concerted action needed to tackle cardiovascular diseases

Local and regional authorities call for stronger prevention and a greater role in the EU Safe Hearts Plan.

Regions and cities have adopted a set of recommendations to tackle the rise of cardiovascular diseases, calling for stronger social, environmental and commercial prevention measures and a greater role for subnational governance in the EU Safe Hearts Plan. The opinion, led by Carmine Pacente (IT/Renew Europe), councillor of the City of Milan, was adopted unanimously during a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions on 13 October.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in the European Union, claiming over 1.7 million lives every year and affecting around 62 million people, with a major public health, societal and economic impact. Yet CVDs are largely preventable and are linked to modifiable risk factors shaped by environmental, social, genetic and economic determinants. Without further action, CVDs are projected to increase by 90% by 2050, making prevention and coordinated action across all levels of governance essential.

In its opinion, the CoR highlights, with regret, that the Safe Hearts Plan fails to acknowledge the vital role played by local and regional authorities (LRAs) in prevention, detection and care of cardiovascular conditions. The opinion calls on the European Commission to mainstream subnational governance throughout the Plan’s implementation roadmap, flagship initiatives and funding mechanisms. The CoR also deplores that fewer than half of the 27 EU Member States have national cardiovascular health plans and calls on the Member States to develop such plans in close cooperation with local and regional authorities.

The opinion further sets out a range of prevention recommendations aimed at tackling the social and commercial determinants of cardiovascular health, including tobacco, physical activity, alcohol and nutrition. It also calls for stricter air quality standards, the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels, and a systematic alignment between environmental and cardiovascular health research and policy.

Resilient, accessible and high-quality healthcare systems are also needed to ensure continuous and coordinated care across the full patient journey - from prevention and early detection to treatment and rehabilitation. Regions and cities call for a strong EU strategy on healthcare workforce and for the establishment of a clear European target to reduce gender and territorial disparities in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The opinion also highlights the significant regional disparities in cardiovascular mortality and health inequalities across the EU and stresses the need to better address the specific challenges faced by small rural and mountain municipalities. It therefore calls for a dedicated implementation framework for fragile territories.

Quote

Rapporteur Carmine Pacente (IT/Renew Europe), Councillor of Milan: “Cardiovascular health must become a shared European priority, starting with prevention and action on the ground. Cities and regions, including the smallest rural communities, can give a strong and concrete contribution through urban planning, food procurement, education at school. Cities and Regions are on the front line of promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing health inequalities and ensuring that every citizen has access to prevention and quality care, wherever they live. With the EU Safe Hearts Plan, we have an opportunity to turn European ambition into concrete action. To save lives across Europe, regions and municipalities must be full partners, with the means to act.”

Background

• Photosand videos of the Plenary Session.
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• In most EU Member States, LRAs are responsible for designing, planning, funding, delivering or overseeing healthcare. They also shape many of the policies covered bySafe Hearts Plan, including education, social care, public procurement, urban and land-use planning, sport and health promotion.
• The Safe Hearts Plan was unveiled by the European Commission on 16 December 2025, as part of an overall health package.
• The adoption of this opinion comes one week after the first edition of the EU Screening Week (28 September - 4 October), launched by the European Commission to support the efforts of the Safe Hearts Plan. It brings together partners across Europe to encourage people to get tested and raise awareness around prevention through events at national, regional and local level. More information.
• The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology estimated that CVDs are projected to increase by 90% by 2050, in a report on the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, published in September 2024.
• 13 of 27 EU Member States have national health check policies or programmes targeting CVD and related chronic conditions; Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Slovenia. More information. 

Contact:

Hélène Dressen

Tel: +32 471502795

Helene.dressen@cor.europa.eu