PHSSR European Union Investing in Health 2025

18 Investing in Health for a Competitive, Secure, and Resilient Europe: A Strategic Call to Action The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and ResilienceSource: European Commission (2024, 2025) The effective management and implementation of an EU-wide strategy for health investments will require sustained cooperation between a broad range of stakeholders across multiple European Commission Directorate-Generals. Crisis preparedness and response exemplifies a domain in which such coordination is particularly critical yet currently fragmented. In the absence of a clearly designated coordinating entity, substantial time and resources are often expended on interdepartmental alignment, increasing the risk of inefficiencies. To address this, a dedicated coordination mechanism is needed to facilitate regular communication, foster cross-sectoral cooperation, and support the coherent implementation of a unified EU strategy for health system investments. For the next MFF to meet the European Commission’s objective of funding guided by policies, health investments must be strategically aligned with defined EU policy priorities, including but not limited to cardiovascular health, cancer, and mental health. Recommendations � Establish joint priorities in areas of health with added value at the EU level and greatest unmet need in prevention, treatment, and aftercare, drawing on key policies including the European Pillar of Social Rights, European Preparedness Union, EHU, and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. EU policies in health should be designed to complement the strengths of national health systems while addressing gaps that individual Member States may be unable to tackle alone. � Develop a comprehensive EU strategy for investments in public health and health systems that is explicitly guided by EU health policy objectives. This strategy should aim to improve the coherence of funding mechanisms and enhance efficiency by establishing common objectives, harmonised methodologies, and standardised evaluation frameworks across relevant EU funds. Case study: Addressing the health workforce crisis52,53 The European Council conclusions on the Future of the European Health Union set out the key areas of focus to strengthen the EHU. Adopted in June 2024, the conclusions reference several key challenges that EU health systems are facing, including health workforce shortages. Health workforce shortages, particularly among nurses and primary care professionals, are a growing challenge across all Member States. The rising demand for health services is outpacing the supply of health workers, compounded by demographic shifts, skill mismatches and geographic disparities across the EU.54 According to WHO, Europe faces a projected shortfall of 4.1 million healthcare workers by 2030.55 Tackling these challenges requires strategic investments in medical education and workforce reskilling as well as coordinated efforts to manage issues related to the cross-border mobility of healthcare professionals. The Council invited Member States and the European Commission to prioritise targeted investment in the health workforce by leveraging both national and EU funds. In January 2025, the Commission responded to this call to action by launching the first EU action to support Member States in retaining and attracting nurses, with a budget of €1.3 million under the EU4Health programme and support from WHO Europe. This funding will support activities to address key priorities highlighted by the Council, including the uptake of digital tools, the recruitment of staff, and the identification of structural challenges. An EU Health Workforce Strategy and Plan should be developed to guide actions in tackling the EU health workforce issues related to shortages, with continued investment in healthcare education, training, and retainment across Europe.