Addressing issues early can reduce health inequalities and drive more resilient services, European health leaders to hear
Leading health officials from across Europe will gather in Dublin today and tomorrow to explore how prevention and early intervention can improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and help build more sustainable, resilient and person-centred health services.
Under the theme ‘The Future Starts Small: Transforming Health Systems Through the Life-Course Approach, with a Focus on Early Intervention and Long-Term Sustainability,’ delegates will consider how action at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence to healthy ageing, can improve population health and wellbeing.
The two-day meeting of chief medical officers (CMOs), chief nursing officers and chief dental officers will take place at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“Prevention and early intervention are central to improving the health and wellbeing of current and future generations,” said Irish CMO Prof Mary Horgan.
“A strong focus on child health lays the foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing, helps reduce health inequalities and supports healthy ageing.
“Ireland’s EU Presidency gives us a valuable opportunity to welcome health leaders from across Europe to Dublin to share experiences, learn from one another and identify practical ways to work more closely together.”
The event programme will focus particularly on prevention, child health as a foundation for lifelong health, health equity, health workforce optimisation and innovation. It will also consider how to shift from reactive models of care towards more preventive approaches, that invest earlier and deliver better long-term outcomes.
The meeting will bring medical, nursing and dental leaders together, while recognising the distinct contribution of each profession. Dedicated breakout sessions on the first day will explore profession-specific priorities, followed by shared reflections on common priorities and opportunities for European collaboration. The programme will also highlight practical examples of best practice from Ireland and across Europe, demonstrating how equity can be advanced across maternity and child health, adolescent health, community care and healthy ageing.
On the second day, delegates will consider how ambitions for prevention and equity can be translated into action, including through behavioural science and the economics of investing in early childhood. A panel of speakers from across Europe will discuss approaches to child poverty and its lifelong impact on health and wellbeing.
The meeting begins as European mental health experts gather in Cork on Thursday to explore how mental health can be embedded across all areas of public policy.
Discussions during ‘Resilient Europe: Mental Health as a Strategic Asset for Europe’s Strength and Competitiveness’ are set to focus on emergency preparedness, workforce resilience, social inclusion, and recovery after crises. The event marks the first time, across Ireland’s seven previous presidencies, that mental health has been established as a standalone theme.
“Across Europe, we share a growing recognition that mental health is not solely a health issue. It is a societal, economic and strategic priority that affects every aspect of our communities,” said Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler.
“By working together across borders, sharing knowledge and learning from one another’s experiences, we can ensure that mental health remains a priority, and advance our shared ambition of building stronger communities, a more resilient society, and a stronger Europe.”
Meanwhile, earlier this week another EU Council presidency event focused on the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The conference convened policymakers, healthcare leaders, patients, researchers, industry representatives, and European institutions to discuss the implementation of the EHDS and explore how health data can be used to improve patient care, support innovation and strengthen health systems across Europe.
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “Individuals increasingly expect health information to be available when and where it is needed, while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and trust. The European Health Data Space has the potential to transform how health data supports patient care, research and innovation across Europe.
“During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are pleased to bring together European partners to share experiences, tackle implementation challenges and help realise the benefits of the EHDS for patients, healthcare professionals and society.”