MEPs want better prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the EU

Tackle key risk factors such as smoking, harmful alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets

Improve nutrition labelling and definition of “ultra-processed foods”

Ensure early detection and affordable treatments

Europe’s number 1 killer: 1.7 million die each year due to cardiovascular diseases

On Wednesday, MEPs adopted their reaction to the EU’s first-ever strategy on cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of mortality in the EU.

The report, adopted with 545 votes in favour, 47 against and 75 abstentions, calls for a shift towards effective prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including a horizontal EU health prevention plan to address risk factors for major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, obesity and many others.

Addressing main risk factors

Parliament calls on the Commission to present as soon as possible a revamp of the legislative framework on tobacco control. Stricter measures (such as bans on flavours, limits on nicotine content, regulating social media advertising) should reduce the affordability, access, consumption, and appeal of tobacco and nicotine products and smoking devices, and specifically include novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products.

MEPs want better nutritional and health information on labels of all alcoholic beverages and awareness campaigns on the cardiovascular and other health risks associated with harmful alcohol consumption, particularly at levels exceeding scientifically established health recommendations.

The report calls for legislative measures to improve front-of-pack nutrition labelling. MEPs also want a clear EU definition of “ultra-processed foods” and better promotion of balanced diets and physical activity.

Early detection, improved care, reducing inequalities

The MEPs strongly support the introduction of cardiovascular health checks, especially for individuals with at least one risk factor and those with a family history of premature CVDs.

They also want people living with CVDs to have timely and affordable access to high-quality care. Stronger measures at EU and national level should be taken to reduce inequalities linked to socio-economic status (income, employment, housing conditions), gender, age, access to healthcare services and environmental exposure.

Quote

Rapporteur Romana Jerković (S&D, HR) said: “For too long, Europe has focused on paying for the consequences of cardiovascular disease instead of addressing its causes. This report marks a shift towards prevention. It calls for tougher and more progressive action on the commercial drivers of poor health, from the marketing of novel nicotine products to children to the lack of transparency around alcohol and unhealthy foods. If we are serious about reducing Europe’s biggest killer, we need public health policies driven by evidence, not by commercial interests.”

Background

The report represents Parliament’s response to the Commission’s first ever EU strategy aimed at tackling cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the “Safe Hearts Plan”. CVDs are the leading cause of mortality in the EU, accounting for approximately 1.7 million deaths each year. Sixty-two million people are living with the burden of CVDs in the EU, and close to 13 million new cases of CVDs occur every year. An estimated 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is preventable.