The pandemic emphasized the importance of public health at the top of the political agenda and showed the very tangible ways in which the European Union can complement and add value to national policies to improve citizens' daily lives and well-being. This approach meets the clear expectations of citizens when it comes to protecting and promoting their health. The latest Eurobarometer and Public Opinion surveys have shown that health is among the top priorities of European citizens. The European Health Union was created to meet their expectations. Investing in health always pays off. The pandemic has shown how public health is a prerequisite for the functioning of societies and economies.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us how much damage even an uninformed citizen and patient-perpetuating unhealthy behaviors-can cause, and how much, on the other hand, an informed citizen and patient can make a difference not only for their own individual health but for public health in general.
Understanding what the risks are, especially for some patients with comorbidities, and being aware of what the benefits of vaccination and Covid therapies are, can help mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and other similar events that may occur in the future-hence the need to be more conscious and prepared. To date, several preventive strategies (such as vaccines produced with different technologies) and therapeutic strategies (such as monoclonal antibodies and antivirals) are available to counteract COVID-19, and they need to be properly communicated to the public, defining the precise indications for use, particularly for vulnerable patients and their family members/caregivers.
The end of the health emergency, of course, does not mean that COVID-19 has disappeared nor that its effects should not be managed as carefully as in recent years. Through the new EU project "Empowering & mobilizing PAGs on COVID-19 prevention & treatments for vulnerable target groups," we want to help keep the focus on the issue high at the European level, in front of institutional and non-institutional stakeholders, in line with the recent communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “The European Health Union: acting together for people's health”.
For Active Citizenship Network, this new initiative is consistent with its commitment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and it also benefits from the “Recommendations on Covid-19 Patient Pathways” carried out with the coordination of RPP Group and the active participation of leading organizations, including Active Citizenship Network. It is also an ideal follow-up to the 2023 projects carried out at the European level entitled "Protecting the value of access to care during - and after - the COVID-19 pandemic across Europe: focus on antivirals" and "Improving health literacy for better public and patient engagement in COVID-19 pandemic mitigation."
Planned activities:
- EU workshop: Empowering & mobilizing PAGs on COVID-19 (and long COVID), Prevention, immunization & treatments
- Supporting the EU policy dialogue with the MEPs & drafting a open letter to the new EU Institutions
- EU qualitative survey tailored to leader of PAGs
- Social media campaign on the need to prioritize Healthcare professional upskilling
The project is realized thanks to the unconditional support of
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