EU4Health projects supporting lung health in Europe

Tobacco consumption remains the largest avoidable health risk and a major cause of premature mortality and preventable cancers in the EU. Risks also exist for non-smokers, as second-hand smoke can harm heart and lung health. To address this, the EU and national governments have introduced a range of tobacco control measures through legislation, recommendations and information campaigns. Europe's Beating Cancer Plan also aims to create a tobacco-free generation, reducing tobacco use in the EU from around 22% of people aged 16 and over today to less than 5% by 2040. One of the flagship initiatives of the Safe Hearts Plan is the modernisation of tobacco control legislation to address the challenges related to young people. The 'Healthier together' - EU non-communicable diseases (NCD) initiative supports EU countries developing and implementing policies and actions to reduce the burden of major NCDs, including chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and risk factors. 

The Commission is supporting EU countries and stakeholders via the EU4Health programme in developing and implementing related actions. Collaboration activities between EU countries (Joint Actions) and stakeholder-led projects are in place to support lung health in the EU through actions on health promotion and prevention, early detection and care. This ranges from reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, to improving lung health literacy among children, to tackling CRDs and related inequalities. The Commission ensures collaboration and synergies between these initiatives through regular joint meetings and exchanges of information, experience and lessons learnt. 

The Joint Action SAFE focuses on the reduction of NCDs, including cancer, and their risk factors, both at the individual and population level. To this end, it aims to significantly reduce tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke across Europe, creating healthier, smoke- and aerosol-free environments across Europe and contributing to achieving a tobacco-free generation.

The 60 partner institutions from 23 countries are working to identify and share effective practices and policy approaches that can help prevent tobacco-related disease and protect lung health. To date, the project has been assessing best practices to develop a dedicated SAFE Knowledge Hub. It has mapped participating countries and study sites, together with relevant smoke-free legislation, in preparation for fieldwork measurements to quantify second-hand smoke and second-hand e-cigarette aerosol exposure. 

In parallel, it is also developing a methodological framework to assess the implementation and enforcement of smoke- and aerosol-free policies across EU countries. JA SAFE is also in the process of publishing reports on nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products and attributable mortality related to second-hand smoke exposure and tobacco use.

Alongside reducing exposure to tobacco and second-hand smoke, EU4Health also supports actions to build lung health earlier in life and reduce inequalities from childhood onwards. The project LH4L (LungHealth4Life) focuses on the testing of lung function and education about lung health risks in childhood as an innovative way to protect lung health and prevent NCDs, while addressing and preventing societal inequalities in the participating EU countries.

The project has introduced lung health education and lung function testing in primary schools in Portugal, Poland and Hungary. Across six schools in disadvantaged communities, more than 1 700 children aged six to twelve have taken part in age-adapted sessions on how their lungs work and what harms them. Close to 700 children have also undergone spirometry, which was for many of them their first specialised medical test. In cases where a follow-up was needed, a clear route to their family doctor was shared with the children and their families.

Beyond prevention and early education, EU4Health also supports actions to improve the detection and management of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) across Europe. Through the three-year Joint Action JARED, 14 EU countries, Iceland, Ukraine and Moldova are collaborating to work on preventing and managing CRDs. Backed with almost €5 million from the EU4Health programme, it has established a unique European collaboration network of public health authorities, healthcare professionals, researchers and patient organisations around a common strategic vision for respiratory health. This aims to translate methodologies, evidence and best practices into practical, adaptable solutions for the different national healthcare systems. 

To effectively address and manage CRDs, JARED combines innovative digital health technologies, improved access to diagnostic tools and efforts to increase health literacy. Prioritising inclusivity, it also ensures that vulnerable populations receive significant attention throughout its implementation. 

As part of the project’s activities, nearly 1 200 high-risk people have undergone specialised screening (harmonised spirometry-based screening) for COPD and more than 420 patients have been enrolled in digital self-management studies. JARED has also organised surveys¹ on prevention and on specific chronic inflammatory lung conditions, whose results have been organised in datasets that will inform future recommendations. 

By strengthening collaboration across countries and testing evidence-based interventions in healthcare settings, JARED is building a European platform for knowledge exchange and implementation. This aims to support more effective prevention, earlier diagnosis, better patient-centred care and more equitable respiratory health across Europe.

_{¹Surveys on prevention: more than 2 000 healthcare professionals, teachers and other relevant professionals;}

_{Surveys on sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease: 100% response rate across participating countries.}

Relevant links

Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases initiative - Public Health

Cardiovascular health - Public Health - European Commission

A cancer plan for Europe - European Commission

Public Health – Tobacco

Background

EU4Health is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes. The EU4Health programme goes beyond an ambitious response to the COVID-19 crisis to address the resilience of European healthcare systems. The programme provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. HaDEA manages the vast majority of the total EU4Health budget and implements the programme by managing calls for proposals and calls for tenders.