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.
