Health issues for the next generation of European citizens

22.12.2017

Question for written answer E-007946-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu (S&D)

Europeans generally regard health as the most important consideration when it comes to determining quality of life. While technological and medical progress are resulting in more care being provided, with better recovery rates and longer life expectancy (80.7 years), Europe is still facing significant challenges in ensuring a healthy life for its citizens.

In the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017, the Commission calls for a Union where citizens have new opportunities for cultural and social development and economic growth. However, this is frequently concomitant with a noisy urban lifestyle, the destruction of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity etc., while other environmental factors linked with an essentially urban lifestyle, such as climate change and illnesses caused by industrialized societies, continue to pose a threat to the health and well-being of European citizens.

The health of individuals throughout their life is determined prior to conception and during the first weeks of pregnancy by the state of health of their parents and by possible prenatal exposure to harmful environmental factors.

In view of this and bearing in mind that, in 2030, Europe will have the most oldest population in the world, what action will the Commission take to ensure that the next generation of European citizens enjoy healthy lifestyles?