PHILIPP MATHMANN

Physical, mental, and social health form the foundation of individual well-being and create security and social stability. It was only with the COVID-19 pandemic that Europe moved closer together as a European Health Union, forced to take joint decisions — for example in vaccine procurement. Yet many tasks could not be tackled cooperatively, as national systems still differ too greatly.

In the future, this issue will become even more important. Medicine shortages, shortages of skilled professionals, heatwaves, natural disasters, and further pandemics are placing healthcare systems under pressure — challenges that can only be addressed through international coordination. Moreover, the principle of free movement within Europe requires better portability of health and social benefits across borders. This calls for stronger coordination, reduced bureaucracy, and consistent digitalization.

Beyond these fundamental tasks of coordinating care, healthcare systems must also be examined in terms of sustainability. 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the healthcare sector (in Germany, the figure is even 5.2%), exceeding emissions from aviation and shipping combined — largely due to inefficient energy use. Waste management, water consumption, and energy use within this vast sector must be critically reassessed. Healthcare institutions, in particular, carry a significant ethical responsibility to act in environmentally responsible and health-promoting ways.

It is also especially important to me that shared European health standards, based on established scientific evidence, are defined and implemented. Within a community such as the European Union, there must be no severe disparities in healthcare provision between individual countries or between rural and urban regions. Furthermore, the public health perspective must be systematically integrated into other policy areas, and the promotion of children’s and adults’ health must become a guiding principle of political decision-making.

Education is the key to personal growth and to the strengthening of democracy. As a community of shared values, the European Union has not yet fully lived up to its commitment to international equal opportunity. Education forms the foundation of an active, informed, and engaged citizenry. It promotes social justice, tolerance, and economic development — all of which are essential to a strong and stable democracy. It is therefore crucial to invest in education and ensure that it is accessible to everyone living in the EU.

Education and support span all phases of life, but they are especially formative for children and young people. The early development of language skills and reading literacy — and above all the ability to read critically — is decisive in fostering informed decision-making. Critical reading forms the basis of an informed citizenry capable of actively participating in democratic society. Early-acquired language, reading, and writing skills enable people to understand, assess, and question information from diverse sources. This is particularly important in our current era, when we are inundated with a flood of information and opinions.

Media literacy must be strengthened, especially among children and young people, so they can recognize disinformation. International programs combating illiteracy and promoting education therefore make a direct contribution to safeguarding democracy and strengthening social cohesion. An active citizenry means being able to understand political debates and decisions, engage with public information, and participate in elections or petitions. Education builds societal resilience against extremist views and manipulation. It also fosters the ability to understand and engage with scientific knowledge.