The Parliament’s Public Health Committee adopted its response to the EU’s first ever cardiovascular health plan.

The report, which reacts to the “Safe Hearts Plan”, calls for acoordinated approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and their interconnected risk factors and comorbidities, including all major non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, chronic kidney disease, obesity and many others.

Key recommendations include:

• Promoting healthier lifestyles: Encouraging balanced diets (including Mediterranean, Nordic, plant-based, and some organic diets), increasing physical activity, improving front-of-pack nutrition labels, and assessing the health impacts of ultra-processed foods and energy drinks.

• Early detection and better care: Expanding cardiovascular health screenings, particularly for people with risk factors or a family history of CVDs, and ensuring timely, affordable access to quality treatment.

• Reducing inequalities: Addressing disparities in cardiovascular health linked to income, employment, housing, gender, age, healthcare access, and environmental conditions.

• Improving emergency preparedness: Increasing public awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and introducing mandatory CPR training in schools and workplaces.

Next steps: The own-initiative report was adopted by 38 votes in favour, 2 against, and with 1 abstention. It is expected that Parliament as a whole will vote on the report during its September 2026 plenary session.