European Health Forum Gastein

🔍 How can we ensure AI in healthcare is accurate, reliable, and respects patient privacy? At #EHFG2024, Sonja Wehsely, Executive Vice President, Siemens Healthineers spoke with Young Gasteiner Eileen Rocard to tackle these important questions.   From navigating Europe's strict regulations to balancing the use of secondary data for AI advancements, this interview explores the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in health systems.   Watch the full conversation here! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gXmFkiTd    #DigitalHealth #AI #EHFG2024Rewind

🔍 Strengthening health systems resilience by exploring recent responses to migration    In an #EHFG2024 session co-organised by the European Health Forum Gastein and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, we used the migration lens to better understand health system resilience and to highlight how the resilience testing approach initiated by EU Health and Food Safety can help countries identify issues and take remedial action.  Key takeaways: 💡 Migration as a lens for resilience: Migration highlights health system weaknesses in coverage, access, financing, and human resources, but also catalyses reforms.  🌍 Case study – Greece: Migration spurred universal health coverage, regardless of documentation, and introduced financial incentives for healthcare workers in underserved areas, benefiting the system as a whole. 💎 The value of inclusion: Research shows that including all migrants, documented and undocumented, within health systems in receiving countries is more cost-effective than exclusion. 📋 EU Temporary Protection Directive: Hailed as a success story, this directive ensures displaced individuals, including those from Ukraine, access services across EU Member States until February 2026. Flexibility and mutual recognition of benefits are key to its success.  🏠 Integrated policies: Coordinating health, housing, and employment policies is vital for smoother migrant integration and enhanced health system resilience. Watch the session recording to learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Ohri3v    #EHFG2024Rewind 

As Europe faces demographic, economic, and geopolitical challenges that make it difficult to increase health budgets, EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations brought together experts at #EHFG2024 to discuss how investing in chronic disease prevention and management can strengthen health systems’ resilience. Key takeaways: 📊 A costly challenge: Chronic diseases account for 80% of the EU’s disease burden, costing €530 billion annually. 🔄 Prevention is key: Investing in early diagnosis and health literacy is essential for managing chronic diseases like diabetes, where complications are far costlier than prevention. Speakers stressed the need to make prevention a priority across all national policies to ensure sustainable health systems. 💡 Better spending, not just more: Structural reforms and innovative health budgeting are essential. Linking funding to outcomes, sharing data across borders, and reducing inefficiencies can enhance health system sustainability without increasing budgets. 🤝 Collaboration is key: Panellists called for joint European efforts, including centralised chronic disease registries, coordinated data systems, and solidarity in tackling these shared challenges. 💼 Overcoming short-term thinking: Political cycles often discourage long-term planning. Tackling chronic diseases requires bold action, systemic change, and a focus on long-term resilience. 🔬 Real-world solutions: Examples included Belgium’s investment in primary mental healthcare to reduce antidepressant use and Sweden’s hospital ranking system that incentivises patient outcomes and prevention. 🌍 Beyond health silos: Chronic diseases don’t just affect health budgets – they impact workforce participation, economic stability, and societal value. Integrating health into broader EU fiscal frameworks could deliver long-term benefits across sectors. Watch the session recording here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eKwV50 #EHFG2024Rewind

📢 Health asks of the new European Commission and Parliament A year-long consultation process on health priorities led by the European Health Union initiative culminated at the #EHFG2024, with the following calls for better health in Europe: ✨ Strengthen health equity 🌱 Address environmental and commercial determinants of health 💻 Advance digital transformation 🌍 Build a strategic vision for health Read the full document here 🔗 https://bit.ly/3ZpNwqc

🌐 Democracy at work - the European Health Data Space from concept to reality 📊 The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is a landmark piece of legislation designed to empower citizens to take control of their health data while promoting the ability to reuse data for the benefit of society as a whole. The final #EHFG2024 plenary, co-organised with EU Health and Food Safety, reviewed the EHDS’s progress to date and explored its implementation challenges and opportunities from various perspectives. Key takeaways: 💡 Citizen empowerment: The #EHDS places individuals in control of their health data, enabling seamless access for both personal and cross-border healthcare needs. 🔒 Data privacy & security: Guided by GDPR principles, the EHDS establishes a secure framework for health data sharing, respecting privacy and enhancing trust. 🌍 Collaboration drives progress: Success hinges on cooperation among Member States, stakeholders, and citizens, as well as building trust, fostering digital literacy, and addressing infrastructure disparities. 🌐 Overcoming interoperability challenges: Cross-border data sharing is essential for the EHDS to succeed. Initiatives like the European Electronic Health Record Exchange Framework aim to connect systems and standardise governance across the EU. 🚀 Innovation for public good: By reusing health data responsibly, the EHDS aims to benefit society through advances in research, policymaking, and healthcare delivery. 🛠️ Next steps: Stakeholders are focussed on addressing challenges in digital readiness and implementation, with full-scale deployment targeted for 2028. Watch the session recording here 👉 https://bit.ly/3YXSB84 #EHFG2024Rewind

We are deeply saddened about the passing of Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dašić, our long-time partner, dear colleague, and friend. Mira was a dedicated leader whose love and vision for the South-Eastern European region strongly shaped partnerships within the region and throughout Europe. The European Health Forum Gastein has had the privilege to work in partnership with the South Eastern Europe Health Network for over 15 years, and Mira was an invaluable member of our Advisory Committee. Mira was the driving force behind many joint initiatives, always fostering connections and progress and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with Mira’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Mira’s work has made a lasting difference. We will honour her legacy and continue with dedication the work that she cared so deeply about. 

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Women in Global Health launches its #WomenUnderFire campaign to spotlight the violence faced by women health workers worldwide. These women are the backbone of our health systems, yet their own safety is often at risk - from attacks on health facilities to systemic harassment. It’s time for global action to safeguard and support them. 🩺💪 ➡️ Toolkit: https://bit.ly/494AC4d #16DaysOfActivism #EliminateVAW

Why isn't the healthiest choice the easiest choice for everyone? 🌍🍏 In an #EHFG2024 session organised by EuroHealthNet, with support from BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation, the European Public Health Nutrition Alliance | EPHNA, and Heidelberg University, we explored the new policies needed to create healthier food environments and address Europe’s unhealthy and unjust food systems. Key takeaways: 🌱 European food systems are failing to provide healthy, sustainable, and equitable choices. Ultra-processed foods dominate diets, driving obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while unsustainable agricultural practices contribute to biodiversity loss and high greenhouse gas emissions. 🚫 Individual blame is misplaced - systemic issues like aggressive marketing, unhealthy food environments, and limited access to affordable, nutritious options are the root causes. 📜 Evidence-based policies are needed, including sugar taxes, VAT removal on healthy foods, and stricter regulation of digital marketing targeting unhealthy products, especially for children. 💡 Nutrition education in schools is an important tool to empower consumers and foster healthier food choices. However, education alone is not enough - it must be part of a broader systemic solution. 🌍 Transparency, social justice, and a clear vision for reform are critical to creating food systems that prioritise public health and sustainability over commercial interests. 🥕 Tackling food waste is a key opportunity. One-third of food produced is wasted, presenting a significant challenge to food security and environmental sustainability. Want to learn more? Watch the session here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UXYUag #EHFG2024Rewind

📊🚑 How can health systems stay strong in the face of unexpected crises like mass migration? We discussed innovative strategies and real-world examples at #EHFG2024 with the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Find this session and more on our YouTube channel 👉 http://bit.ly/3XYCdEM #EHFG2024Rewind European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) Elena Val IOM - UN Migration

🌍 Democracy and the demographic transition Europe is entering an era of profound demographic change that will bring a range of societal and political opportunities and challenges. The second #EHFG2024 plenary explored these multi-faceted issues and their implications for health, democracy, and intergenerational relations. Key takeaways: 👵 Reframing ageing: Longer, healthier lives represent a triumph of human progress. Integrated health and long-term care systems are essential to meet the needs of ageing populations effectively. 🌍 Migration is an opportunity, not a crisis: Migration helps tackle workforce shortages, but integration policies must be supportive, equitable, and globally just. 🌱 A healthy planet for healthy lives: The climate crisis is also a health crisis. Addressing it requires cross-generational collaboration. “A healthy future is only possible in a healthy environment”. 🤝 Diversity and flexibility in healthcare: Systems must adapt to diverse populations rather than expecting people to conform. Migrants must also be represented in decision-making to ensure equitable care. ⚙️ Balancing innovation and accessibility: While technology can transform healthcare, it must remain accessible and affordable. Health is a right, not a luxury. Revisit the session here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z17VR8 #EHFG2024Rewind