The European Union is developing its first dedicated respiratory health strategy, marking a transition from crisis-driven measures to a structured, sustained approach. This initiative follows the shift of COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic status, which has laid bare deficiencies in respiratory care systems across the continent. Though the EU has committed significant resources to emergency responses—such as the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)—no unified framework currently addresses the full scope of respiratory diseases, which remain Europe’s most common and preventable infectious threats.
The Active Citizenship Network is spearheading the effort, promoting a collaborative model that bridges patient organizations, civil society, and policymakers. On October 3, 2025, the group convened a Brussels workshop to examine policy deficiencies, service modernization, and public education. This gathering was a cornerstone of the EU project “Advancing Respiratory Care at the EU Level”, which seeks to embed respiratory health into preventive frameworks rather than treating it as an emergency-only concern.
Two key documents framed the discussion. The first was a European qualitative survey evaluating progress and shortcomings in policy, healthcare delivery, and preparedness for future respiratory outbreaks. Conducted by the network and its partners, the survey collected input from senior representatives of patient advocacy groups and civil society organizations across the EU. Results pointed to ongoing struggles with vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases, health system flexibility, and the EU’s institutional role in addressing these issues.
The second document was a Call-to-Action titled “Towards the Development of an EU Respiratory Health Plan.” Authored by the EU Working Group on Respiratory Care, it incorporated feedback from patient advocates, medical societies, and specialists. The proposal stresses the necessity of integrating respiratory health into EU public health priorities to strengthen long-term security.
Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia, remain leading causes of preventable mortality in Europe. While emergency funding mechanisms like HERA have managed acute surges, the absence of a unified strategy leaves critical gaps in prevention, equitable treatment access, and cross-border collaboration. The push for a dedicated plan signals an acknowledgment that respiratory health must be central to broader healthcare planning.
