Fronteira I, Magalhães JP, Ferrinho P. European Health Union: An emergent reality.
Int J Health Plann Manage 2024;
39:220-228. [PMID:
38124556 DOI:
10.1002/hpm.3747]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article we argue that the Member States of the European Union (EU) have consistently, since its inception, developed a shared framework to measure, monitor and intervene to improve the health status of its population, while invoking the subsidiarity principle for the health sector. As a result, a European Health Union (EHU) has been emerging insidiously and consistently, following the concept of a system for health. Using the World Health Organisation Building Blocks Framework, we analyse the normative and institutional developments related to EU citizens' health that have created a de facto EHU. Developments towards an EHU remain unequally distributed among the different building blocks analysed. The existing EHU is the result of a fragmented and incremental process, mostly grounded in governance, health intelligence and services' development. Health crisis, the Commission's agenda-setting activities and market pressures have been the most important push factors for these step-by-step processes.
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