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Regional Policy and Health
REGIONAL & URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY
EU Cohesion Policy and Health Investments
Investment in Health for Regional Development
The EU Cohesion Policy recognizes health as a crucial asset for regional development and competitiveness. It aims to reduce economic and social disparities by addressing various health-related areas, including:
Addressing Health Inequalities
Despite comprehensive health insurance coverage across Member States, significant health inequalities persist. Key challenges include:
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to crises, enhancing cooperation, and sharing resources and knowledge across borders.
Funding and Policy Objectives
Health is supported under several Cohesion Policy objectives, primarily:
Integrated Approach to Funding
The Cohesion Policy Funds for 2021-2027 emphasize an integrated approach to funding and programming to achieve coordinated and comprehensive development in the health sector.
Funding Mechanisms
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
By investing in these areas, the EU aims to create a more equitable, resilient, and efficient healthcare system across its regions, ultimately contributing to reduced poverty and enhanced social cohesion.
Investment in Health for Regional Development
The EU Cohesion Policy recognizes health as a crucial asset for regional development and competitiveness. It aims to reduce economic and social disparities by addressing various health-related areas, including:
- Ageing Population: Adapting healthcare infrastructure and systems to cater to an ageing demographic.
- Healthcare Infrastructure and Systems: Building sustainable healthcare systems and infrastructure.
- E-Health: Promoting digital health solutions.
- Affordable Access to Quality Services: Ensuring everyone can access quality health services.
- Health Promotion Programmes: Initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: Facilitating cooperation in healthcare across national and regional borders.
Addressing Health Inequalities
Despite comprehensive health insurance coverage across Member States, significant health inequalities persist. Key challenges include:
- Unmet Medical Needs: High levels of unmet needs for medical care.
- Disparities in Access and Quality: Variations in the availability and quality of healthcare services.
- Workforce Shortages: Gaps in the number and skills of healthcare workers.
- Insufficient Facilities and Equipment: Lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to crises, enhancing cooperation, and sharing resources and knowledge across borders.
Funding and Policy Objectives
Health is supported under several Cohesion Policy objectives, primarily:
- More Competitive and Smarter Europe: Through research and innovation, support for medical businesses, digitisation, and e-health.
- More Social Europe: Through support for healthcare and long-term care services.
Integrated Approach to Funding
The Cohesion Policy Funds for 2021-2027 emphasize an integrated approach to funding and programming to achieve coordinated and comprehensive development in the health sector.
Funding Mechanisms
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Access to Healthcare: Ensuring equal access and fostering resilient health systems.
- Transition to Community-Based Care: Promoting family- and community-based care over institutional care.
- Healthcare Integration: Integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services.
- Digital Health Solutions: Supporting e-health, telehealth, and telemedicine.
- Cross-Border Activities: Enhancing transnational and cross-border healthcare cooperation.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
- Healthy Work Environments: Promoting health and safety in workplaces.
- Active and Healthy Ageing: Supporting healthy ageing initiatives.
- Addressing Health Inequalities: Tackling disparities in health access and quality.
- Support for Health Workforce: Strengthening healthcare workforce capacities.
- Public Administration: Enhancing the capacities of public health administrations.
By investing in these areas, the EU aims to create a more equitable, resilient, and efficient healthcare system across its regions, ultimately contributing to reduced poverty and enhanced social cohesion.
