EU urged to prioritise heart disease prevention policy

World euhealthTop News EU urged to prioritise heart disease prevention policy Eu Cardiac Issues Relevant News EU urged to prioritise heart disease prevention policy 2 July 2026 Father of boys found dead to face trial — he got off work but didn’t return home 2 July 2026 Mercuryo recognised with Great Place to Work® certification, highlighting strength of its remote-first fintech culture 2 July 2026 Theodosis Pipis 2 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Members of the European Parliament called for the EU to place prevention at the centre of its health policy, during an event organised by EPP MEP Michalis Hadjipantela in Brussels on July 1. The event focused on cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of death in the EU. According to data from the European Commission, cardiovascular diseases cause approximately 1.7 million deaths annually in the EU, with a total cost exceeding €280 billion a year through healthcare expenditure, reduced productivity and lost economic activity. Policymakers said investing in prevention is one of the most effective long-term solutions as European health systems face increasing pressure. In his opening remarks, Hadjipantela said European policy must be forward-looking through a constructive and united effort. President Nikos Christodoulides addressed participants via a recorded message. He said cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality in Cyprus, and that strengthening prevention measures, expanding the use of digital solutions and improving diagnosis and clinical practice could help the country find solutions. “We can provide forward-looking solutions,” he said. Participants highlighted a continuing gap between policymaking and implementation, describing it as a challenge facing the whole of Europe. Pancyprian Medical Association President Dr Petros Agathangelou, who attended the event, said the prevention of sudden cardiac death cannot rely on isolated initiatives. It “requires a well-structured policy framework,” he said, adding that the association is ready to support such a framework. The event drew on the European Commission’s “Healthier Together” initiative, which frames prevention around keeping people healthy rather than treating disease after it develops. Political will, vision and pan-European funding are now needed to turn these initiatives into effective policies with tangible results, according to Dr Christina Kousparou. Read more: Cypriots live to 83 but spend final 18 years battling preventable illness Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Father of boys found dead to face trial — he got off work but didn’t return home Mercuryo recognised with Great Place to Work® certification, highlighting strength of its remote-first fintech culture The countdown to Minthis Music Festival 2026 begins Paphos-Limassol motorway to close tonight for crash reconstruction Father charged over deaths of two boys in Xylofagou car The great student swap: Why Cyprus is increasingly drawing foreign students for university Couple arrested after climbing Empire State building to get engaged — “We are just artists” Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.