Respiratory diseases represent a major and persistent public health challenge in the European Union, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, healthcare utilisation, and health inequalities. Despite existing initiatives, respiratory health remains insufficiently integrated into broader infection, prevention and control strategies, vaccination plans, programmes to fight antimicrobial resistance. Facing this context, Active Citizenship Network has launched the second edition of the project "Advancing Respiratory Care at the EU Level", confirming its ongoing commitment to the topic.
Exploring the creation of an "EU Respiratory Care Alliance", the main goal of this second phase is to maintain strong visibility and continuous engagement at the EU level throughout 2026, ensuring that the voice of citizens and patients resonates across the European respiratory health landscape before EU institutions, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations.
The 2026 edition builds directly on the achievements of the initiative's first phase, including the policy dialogue event held at the European Parliament on 18 March 2026.
The 2026 proposal focuses on three core pillars:
- Dissemination: Sharing key outcomes and strategic insights from the two Calls to Action—"Policy recommendations for an EU Respiratory Health Plan" and "Towards a Council Recommendation on the value of immunisation against respiratory infections"—across ACN’s network and stakeholder ecosystem. Here more info about relevant articles & publications: A – B – C – D – E
- Policy & Institutional Influence: Engaging with EU Institutions, starting with the Members of the European Parliament, to promote political uptake. Activities will include face-to-face meetings, support and active participation in institutional EU poliy dialogue events, not only in Brussel. Here more info: A – B – C
- Events Participation: Maintaining an active presence in non-institutional European policy conversations, international conferences, and scientific panels organized by third entities, to present citizens' perspectives on the topic. Here more info: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – L.
The project is realized thanks to the unconditional support of:
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