EU launches plan to strengthen preparedness for cross-border health crises

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the European Union is boosting its health preparedness architecture through the new Union prevention, preparedness and response plan for health crises. It will provide policymakers, crisis managers, and stakeholders with practical tools, such as exchanging information, expertise and technical assistance when a crisis occurs, for coordinated action in times of health crises to protect the health and well-being of people across the EU.

The Union plan addresses all potential health hazards and crises, whether natural, accidental, or intentional, caused by various threats. It outlines the EU’s health crisis governance framework, which ranges from available capacities and resources, to  support mechanisms and surveillance, across all phases of the crisis management cycle. For example, the Union plan will help Member States by outlining the EU’s health crisis toolkit, comprised of:

• Prevention and preparedness: support for health system resilience and development, availability and distribution of medical countermeasures
• Detection and assessment: EU-level surveillance, early warning system and risk assessments
• Response: coordination, deployment of capacities and recognition of public health emergency at Union level
• Recovery: evaluation of crisis response, lessons learnt and support to rebuild across the EU

Building on lessons from COVID-19, the Union plan highlights the importance of the development of national plans for health crises and helps Member States to develop them in coherence with EU frameworks. The Union plan is a living document and will be updated regularly as  lessons are learned from real-life crises and new challenges emerge. It will be also regularly tested through simulation exercises, the first scheduled for 2026 and with the involvement of Member States, EU agencies and stakeholders, to ensure the plan remains effective and adaptable to new threats.

The plan strengthens the EU’s collective ability to protect people across the EU and maintain continuity of essential services by providing a comprehensive framework for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from health crises. Implemented through coordinated action among the Commission, EU institutions and agencies and Member States, together we are building a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive European Health Union, ensuring that everyone is protected in the face of cross-border threats to health.

Background

The plan supports the implementation of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy. It is based on a  whole-of-government and society approach. This will be guided by the principle of One Health, which pursues to improve the interdependent health of humans, animals and the environment. The plan also promotes cooperation with international partners such as the World Health Organisation in alignment with the EU’s global health priorities.

The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe’s preparedness and readiness to address today’s growing security challenges, of which health was a key priority and matter of urgency. The report also recognised that preparedness is not only a national responsibility but a shared European endeavour requiring stronger role for the Union in coordinating and supporting Member States in this area. The Union plan is a key action of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy in the health sector, based on Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health. This Regulation is the cornerstone of the EU Health Security Framework, helping countries to work together, prepare for and respond to health threats effectively.