This JA PreventNCD position paper calls on European Union institutions and Member States to ensure that the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework provides clear and adequate funding for health promotion, non-communicable disease prevention and health equity.
The paper argues that prevention is a strategic investment in Europe’s health, resilience, equity and long-term prosperity. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health conditions, place a major burden on European societies, health systems and economies. Addressing this burden requires long-term investment not only in prevention interventions, but also in capacity building, workforce development, intersectoral governance and implementation infrastructure at national, regional and local levels.
JA PreventNCD calls for health promotion and NCD prevention to be made more visible, adequately funded and measurable across the next EU budget. The position paper highlights the need for earmarked health promotion funding in the European Competitiveness Fund, a stronger prevention focus in National and Regional Partnership Plans, and the integration of health promotion, NCD prevention and health equity into the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
The paper also calls for a protected health focus within Horizon Europe, with attention to NCD prevention, health promotion, health inequalities, and the behavioural, environmental and commercial determinants of health. In addition, it recommends strengthening the MFF Performance Regulation so that EU investments are assessed not only by expenditure or activity, but also by their contribution to prevention, equity and long-term population health outcomes.
The position paper includes a technical annex with suggested amendments to selected intervention fields and indicators, covering health systems, health promotion and disease prevention, the EU School Scheme, health and safety at work, and climate-induced health impacts.