Unlocking the impact: discover how four EU-funded Joint Actions are contributing to a healthier Europe

Joint Actions are collaborative projects involving several EU and associated countries with the objective to address key EU health policy priorities, for example, by sharing, testing and refining successful tools, methods and approaches. These direct grants under the EU4Health and Third health programmes are implemented by a consortium of national public health authorities nominated by EU countries.

Funded under the Third health programme, TEHDAS, SHARP, JADECARE and Best-ReMaP are Joint Actions with key policy relevance, managed by HaDEA, and that have recently come to an end.

• Under Joint Action TEHDAS, 25 countries have worked together since 2021 to suggest principles and options for an operational framework and governance of health data to improve cross-border secondary use of health data. While primary use of health data focuses on using health information – such as patient records – to treat patients, secondary use is necessary for research or policy-making  aiming at providing better healthcare services and personalised care to EU citizens. A range of actions are envisaged to continue under the EU4Health programme to further prepare the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation to enable the secondary use of health data in the EU.
• The SHARP Joint Action has strengthened the implementation of the Commission’s Decision on serious cross-border threats to health.  It has reinforced the EU’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to biological outbreaks, chemical contamination and unknown threats to human health. The action has contributed to strengthening the response capacities of EU health systems and their interoperability, ensuring higher level of protection of health and security.
• Launched in 2020 and involving teams from 16 EU countries, the JADECARE Joint Action has helped reinforce the capacity of European health authorities to transform their health systems by becoming more digital, integrated and person-centred. New models from 4 European best practices of integrated care were implemented into 21 European health authorities. JADECARE underpinned the changes towards more and better integrated care to make health systems more accessible, equitable, and sustainable for the benefit of patients and citizens.
• Joint Action Best-ReMaP has involved 21 EU countries working together on developing and implementing policy proposals in three major areas around healthy nutrition, including food reformulation activities, reduction of harmful food marketing to children and quality-based public procurements. The results of this Joint Action are feeding and inspiring new ones under EU4Health in the fields of health determinants and non-communicable diseases.

Background

Since 2003, the first, second and Third health programmes have implemented EU health policy. The EU4Health programme 2021-27 is the latest and largest one to date in monetary terms, with a budget of €5.3 billion in current prices. EU4Health provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe.