Euronews Debates: Can Europe bring healthcare back from the brink?

Europe's population is ageing too, and as economic uncertainity grows across the region and budgets tighten, there is growing concern about a sector that touches all of our lives. 

Against this uncertain background, non-communicable diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes are expected to growing significantly over the coming years.

In 2017, over 91 per cent of deaths and almost 87 per cent of DALYs (healthy years lost) within the EU were already the result of non-communicable diseases, according to data from the Global Burden of Disease study (WHO). And unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful levels of alcohol consumption and physical inactivity were identified as the top risk factors.

Globally, few countries have adequate policies in place to slow down, or reduce, the number of deaths lost through non-communicable diseases. But with the help of science and innovation, effective policymaking is seen as key to turning around these worrying forecasts.

In our ever-changing world, with war, health and political crises having a direct impact on state and personal finances, what kind of prescription is needed to build resilience and sustainability?

How can governments increase treatment accessibility and bring in preventative measures to reduce the rising tide of deaths and the consequent cost to healthcare systems?

What more can be done to tackle risky, lifestyle behaviours which give rise to the non-communicable diseases? And where does the EU’s current thinking, including its much-talked-about Cancer Plan, fit into all of this?

Our Euronews Debate will bring together a panel of European experts to discuss these pressing questions and more.

To get involved in the debate, submit a question to our expert panel using the form below