EU to develop respiratory health plan

As COVID-19 shifts to an endemic phase, Active Citizenship Network calls for an integrated EU respiratory health plan, bringing together patient advocates, civil society, and policymakers to strengthen long-term respiratory care strategies.

The European Union has invested substantially in emergency response mechanisms such as the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). However, there is no coordinated EU respiratory health plan that addresses both the legacy of Covid-19 and the systemic challenges revealed by respiratory infections. These infections remain among the most common infectious diseases in Europe, with many of their most serious consequences being preventable.

On 3 October 2025, Active Citizenship Network will host an EU workshop in Brussels. This policy-related activity is aimed at patient advocacy group representatives from among its partners. The meeting is part of the EU project “Advancing Respiratory Care at the EU Level” and builds on activities that promote respiratory care across Europe. It shifts the EU’s approach to respiratory care from emergency-driven responses to integrated, long-term strategies embedded in broader health policies.

At the gathering, two documents will be presented. The first is the main findings from a European qualitative survey conducted to evaluate progress and gaps in policy, service transformation, public awareness, and preparedness for future health threats. An initiative promoted and coordinated by Active Citizenship Network-Cittadinanzattiva, this survey targeted senior representatives of patient advocacy groups (PAGs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) across EU Member States. It gathered perspectives on COVID-19, vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases (VPRDs), health system resilience, and EU institutional roles.

The second document is the content of the collaborative Call-to-Action: “Towards the Development of an EU Respiratory Health Plan.” This text was drafted by the EU Working Group on Respiratory Care, composed of invited selected patient advocacy groups, medical associations, and leading experts. The group advocates for the prioritisation of respiratory care in EU health policy.

Participants will also be involved in the co-creation of the #CareForAll 2025 communication campaign. This initiative will raise awareness among policymakers and the public, amplify the voices of patients and civil society, and reinforce the urgency of treating respiratory care as a top EU health priority.