Session 17

Beating hearts: a vision for cardiovascular health and equity

Organised by MSD

As the EHFG 2025 explores how health can repair Europe's social contract, this session will focus on the urgent need to address cardiovascular disease and the emerging consensus for a comprehensive EU-wide cardiovascular health plan.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in Europe. It is also deeply connected with socio-economic and gender inequality. Following the robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, this session will discuss the case for an ambitious strategic plan to improve cardiovascular health across the region. Such a plan would address a pressing health need, help deliver on broader resilience, security and competitiveness agendas, and demonstrate that the EU protects all citizens regardless of geography, gender, or background through concrete actions rooted in fairness, prevention, and the public good.

The panel brings together patients, healthcare professionals, and policy experts to examine how evidence-based policy grounded in equity and solidarity principles can promote cardiovascular health and strengthen social bonds that unite European societies.

Further speakers to be announced