Recommendations included in the latest JA PreventNCD position paper have been reflected in the Council of the European Union’s position on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). It is particularly encouraging that several of these recommendations were incorporated into the document almost word-for-word or in closely aligned wording, especially regarding the assessment and monitoring of EU investments.
This represents an important signal that coordinated efforts by public health experts, researchers and prevention specialists can have a real impact on European health policies and on shaping future EU investment priorities.
The JA PreventNCD position paper highlights the need to ensure adequate and sustainable funding for health promotion, non-communicable disease prevention and the reduction of health inequalities in the 2028–2034 period. It also emphasises the importance of developing indicators that make it possible to assess the long-term impact of investments on population health.
As Caroline Costongs, Director of EuroHealthNet, emphasises:
"This is a very encouraging step. It shows the value of a strong, coordinated public health voice in EU policy discussions. Health promotion, disease prevention, health equity and long-term population health outcomes must be part of how Europe defines and measures successful investment."
Dr Mojca Gabrijelčič, Senior Adviser at the National Institute of Public Health in Slovenia and leader of the sustainability work in JA PreventNCD, also highlights the importance of appropriate evaluation mechanisms:
"What gets measured often shapes what gets prioritized. If we want prevention and health promotion to be sustainable, we need funding frameworks that support implementation capacity, cooperation across sectors and long-term public health impact."
Prof. Knut-Inge Klepp, Scientific Coordinator of JA PreventNCD, in turn emphasises the importance of a shared message grounded in scientific evidence:
"Non-communicable diseases remain one of the greatest challenges to health, wellbeing and prosperity in Europe. This shows that evidence-based prevention can help shape policy when partners work together around a clear and shared message."
Negotiations on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework are still ongoing, and the position of the European Parliament is still awaited. Nevertheless, these developments represent an important and very encouraging step for health promotion and the prevention of non-communicable diseases in Europe.
The JA PreventNCD Consortium will continue to closely follow developments and provide updates on the next stages of work related to the future budget of the European Union.
