News and Articles

The European Health Data Space: what impact for SHD patients?

Introduced by the European Commission on 3 May 2022, the European Health Data Space is a proposal for a regulation that aims to reform how patients’ health data is shared across the EU both for primary care and secondary purposes, such as research and policymaking.

MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE EU STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE (SHD) COALITION EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS ON THE LACK OF RESOURCES TO CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH IN THE 2023 EU4HEALTH WORK PROGRAMME

On 21 November 2022, the European Commission adopted and published the priorities and actions, including the allocation of resources, for the implementation in 2023 of the EU4Health programme as established under Regulation (EU) 2021/522 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The French pension reform: a new vision for an ageing society?

The French government has presented on February 27, 2023, the principles of its pension reform. One of the main ambitions is to raise the legal retirement age to 64, meaning 43 years of contribution will now be required to receive a full pension. It will also consider long careers and the drudgery of work.

New Polish Cardiovascular Plan: Leading by Example

Joining the handful of countries that have a national plan on cardiovascular (CV) health, Poland adopted its innovative “National Program for Cardiovascular Diseases - National Cardiac Strategy for 2022-2032”

French Bill on “Building a society for aging well”: an opportunity to include the prevention of age-related diseases.

In the coming weeks and months, the French parliament will examine a text on aging well in France, which represents an opportunity to include the prevention and detection of age-related diseases, including structural heart disease, as one of the elements for preserving autonomy and building a society of aging well.

Time to act: How early detection of valvular heart disease can combat the most common cause of death in Germany.

On 15 December 2022, the EU SHD Coalition organized a press conference with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of early detection of structural heart disease, SHD, such as valvular heart disease in Germany. The various discussions emphasized the importance of early detection, as cardiovascular diseases are still the most common cause of death in Germany with about 340,000 deaths per…

Members of the SHD Coalition participate in a virtual Public Hearing on Structural Heart Disease organised by MEP Pascal Arimont

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Pascal Arimont from Belgium and Brando Benifei from Italy have recently organised a public hearing on Structural Heart Disease (SHD). The key outcome of this hearing was increased awareness of SHD amongst policymakers and members of the European Commission. MEP Arimont highlighted that the European Parliament has a role to channel current EU budgets…

Flemish MPs gather at parliamentary event on the early detection of SHDs

On Wednesday 15 June, the SHD Coalition organised an event in the Flemish Parliament with the goal of drawing attention to the lack of awareness and the importance of early detection related to SHDs in Flanders. Central to the event was a session during which MPs were given the opportunity to undergo a short heart screening performed by Coalition Steering Committee Member and cardiologist Prof.…

THE CASE FOR EARLY DETECTION OF STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE: WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO IMPLEMENT SHD SCREENING PROGRAMS IN EUROPE

Structural heart diseases (SHD) are set of cardiovascular diseases affecting the structure of the valves, atria, ventricles, and blood vessels in the heart. The majority of these conditions are degenerative, which means that they primarily affect the elderly. It is estimated that 14 million people in Europe were living with SHD in 2020, and that by 2050, this cipher will increase to 23 million.

Created by SHD Coalition

The efforts of the EU SHD Coalition recognised in Spanish media

Dr. Jorge Solís Martín, coordinator of the departments of cardiac imaging and valvular heart disease at the University Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, writes an article about why valvular heart disease is an increasing public health threat in the Spanish schedule and how the coalition has helped focus institutional attention on these conditions.

 

In a blog in Elconfidencial's Aliments, Dr.…

Created by SHD Coalition

State of play of SHD in Spain – Interview with our experts Prof .Rodriguez-Roda Stuart and Prof. José Luis Zamorano-Gomez

Members of the Coalition, as well as eminent and recognised experts on SHDs in Spain, Prof. Rodriguez-Roda Stuart and Prof. José Luis Zamorano-Gomez provide their view on the situation of SHD care in Spain and on the political stakes to act towards better detection and prevention on SHD.

 

 

Prof. José Rodriguez-Roda Stuart is Head of the Cardiovascular Surgery Unit at Hospital Ramón y Cajal…

Created by SHD Coalition

EU4Health work programme 2022: opportunities for SHD patients

The European Commission dedicated more than € 65 million on non-communicable diseases within the new EU4Health 2022 Work Programme, representing a major opportunity for the fight against cardiovascular and structural heart disease in the EU.

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Building on 2021,the EU SHD Coalition looks forward to 2022

After only 9 months of existence, the Coalition positively looks back at 2021 and looks forward to contributing towards the creation of EU Joint Action for Structural Heart Disease at EU level and from Member States, now more relevant than ever.

Created by SHD Coalition

Priorities of the French Presidency of the EU – Opportunities for the SHD Coalition

French president Emmanuel Macron presented the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU Starting in January 2022, this Presidency offers various opportunities to reinforce a European approach for an active and healthy Europe.

Created by SHD Coalition

Call for Action on early detection of cardiovascular diseases in Germany

Improving the early detection of cardiovascular and structural heart disease in Germany : 5 proposals from German experts roundtable

Created by SHD Coalition

The EU4Health stakeholders consultation identifies cardiovascular diseases as first area where intervention is needed in the framework of EU4Health 2022 work programme

The report of the EU4Health stakeholder’ consultation has been published and outlines the conclusions of both the consultation and the webinar that followed. The report includes the importance of tackling CVDs, including SHDs, for the first time.

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14 Members of Parliaments across Europe call for a Joint Action on SHD at the occasion of World Heart Day

On this special day, Brando Benifei MEP shared a letter to the European Commissioner for Health and food safety Stella Kyriakides calling for a joint action on SHD in the framework of the EU4Health programme.

Created by SHD Coalition

French Parliament and Minister calls for integration of active and healthy ageing in upcoming French Presidency of the EU

On 15 September, an event organised in the National Assembly by MP Annie Vidal and MP Paul Christophe gathered key stakeholders, including the French delegated Minister for Autonomy Brigitte Bourguignon, to discuss the inclusion of active and healthy ageing in the forthcoming French EU Presidency.

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EU SHD Coalition presents proposal for Joint Action on SHDs at EU Commission’s webinar

The EU SHD Coalition was invited to present its proposals for an EU Joint Action at a recent EU Commission’ webinar on EU4Health

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SHD Coalition meets in plenary meeting

The SHD Coalition gathered on September 7th for its first plenary meeting. It was the occasion for members to meet (virtually) and to present the activities achieved in the framework of the Coalition’s objectives.

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Italian Heart Foundation - Fondazione Italiana per il cuore urges Italian Government to support the EU Joint Action on Structural Heart Diseases

On 13 July 2021, the Italian Heart Foundation gathered SHD and cardiology experts, MEPs, Government representatives and Institutions for a synergic step towards Italy supporting the SHD Joint Action goal. A study carried out by CEIS - Center for Economics and International Studies (Tor Vergata University, Rome) points out SHD impact on the Italian social welfare system: data leaves no time but for…

Created by SHD Coalition

Interview with Prof. Paolo Magni: Rethinking the detection and treatment of structural heart disease in Europe

Read the interview of Steering Committee member, Prof. Paolo Magni, who spoke about the development of the International Longevity Centre’s report (ILC) titled “The invisible epidemic: Rethinking the detection and treatment of SHD in Europe” and discussed the many problems patients have in accessing medical treatment.

Created by SHD Coalition

Political supporter of SHD Coalition calls for EU Joint Action on SHDs at event

At a virtual event organized by think tank Friends of Europe, political supporter of the SHD Coalition, Brando Benifei MEP, called for urgent action on structural heart diseases and reiterated the need for the EU-wide introduction of heart health checks for people above 65 years…

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SHD Coalition calls on Commission to address ageism in SHD treatment

In its response to the European Commission’s Green Paper on ageing, the SHD Coalition highlights the urgent need to tackle age discrimination when treating SHDs. The Coalition is calling for an EU Joint Action …

Created by SHD Coalition

Scottish Parliamentary Roundtable on Healthy Hearts and Healthy Ageing

Ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election in May, on 15 March Scottish Conservative Deputy Public Health Spokesperson and Parliamentary Health and Sport Committee Member Brian Whittle MSP hosted a virtual roundtable Healthy Hearts, …

Created by SHD Coalition

Event Report - Towards a more resilient ageing population in Europe: Building a Coalition on Structural Heart Diseases.

On 1 March 2021, a virtual event co-hosted by MEP Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy) & MEP Maria Da Graça Carvalho (EPP, Portugal) took place...

Created by SHD Coalition

Roundtable: “Towards a more resilient ageing population in Europe: building a coalition on Structural Heart Diseases”

A date for your diary! Virtual event co-hosted by MEPs Brando Benifei and Maria de Graca Carvalho titled “Towards a more resilient ageing population in Europe: building a coalition on Structural Heart Diseases”...

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Belgian MPs pledge to draft Resolution on SHD

In the course of a Belgian Parliamentary Roundtable on 20 January 2021, Members of the Federal Parliament Els Van Hoof (CD&V), Laurence Hennuy (Ecolo), and Gitta …

Created by SHD Coalition

Virtual parliamentary Roundtable on tackling structural heart disease in Belgium’s elderly population

On 20 January 2021, the parliamentary event Structural Heart Diseases and Ageing: Investing in Belgium's future today was organised. It saw the successful launch …

Created by SHD coalition

Spanish Senate approves Motion on addressing structural heart diseases

After taking part in a virtual debate on the impact of COVID-19 and structural heart disease in the elderly, socialist Senator Esther Carmona proposed …

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Region of Lazio commits to foster early detection and address under-treatment

The unanimous decision to adopted a motion on SHD represented the conclusion of a lengthy process in the Lazio region...

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Virtual debate with Spanish policymakers on the role of the heart

On 19 October the Spanish Confederation of Elderly Organisations (CEOMA) organised a virtual event with policymakers and experts to discuss the role of the heart …

Created by SHD Coalition

German Ministry support prioritizing of heart diseases

Last year, a letter on the European Joint Action to support the fight against Structural Heart Diseases (SHD) in Germany and the EU was sent to the German Ministry of Health.

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Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week Debate in the Scottish Parliament

In September 2020, Scottish Labour Public Health Minister David Stewart led a debate in the Scottish Parliament marking Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week in the UK...

Created by SHD Coalition

French members of Parliament raise the alert on the issue of cardiovascular diseases in the context of covid-19

In July 2020, a proposal for a bill was introduced by MP Agnès Firmin Le Bodo (Agir, Seine-Maritime) in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic...

Created by Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP, ES), Dolors Montserrat (EPP, ES)

MEPs submits Parliamentary Question on Structural Heart Disease

COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for people with an underlying heart condition, such as structural heart disease. As population ageing in Europe increases, so too does the percentage of people with undiagnosed and untreated …

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of heart valve disease as an underlying cause of a number of COVID-19-related (a) complications and (b) deaths.

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the prevalence of heart valve disease, and what action it is taking to provide access to treatment for older people with this condition to (a) support healthy …

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made in the frequency of stethoscope usage during GP visits for people over 65, and what steps it is taking to resume the detection of structural heart diseases among this group …

Created by César Luena (S&D, ES)

European Parliament write to EU Commission on Structural Heart Disease

MEP César Luena (S&D, ES) wrote to the European Commission on its new EU4Health programme which aims to ‘improve the resilience of health systems and ensure better health outcomes for all’. …

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French Senator mentions structural heart disease during public session

Senator Catherine Deroche mentioned structural heart diseases during a public session held on the law proposal on the citizen rescuer...

Created by SHD Coalition

Italian MPs from the Democratic Party submit parliamentary question on covid-19 and shd

During the COVID-19 emergency, there has been a delay of elective surgery which has caused a significant reduction of treatment of heart valve disease. Combined with scarce diagnostic capacities this leads to …

Created by MP Els Van Hoof

Belgian MP submits parliamentary question regarding the national situation on Structural Heart Diseases

On 25 May 2020, the Member of the Belgian Federal Parliament (MP) Els Van Hoof submitted a parliamentary question on the way Belgium plans to …

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question regarding treatment of cardiovascular diseases during COVID-19

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide treatment for people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions during the COVID-19 lockdown

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question on non-COVID-19 diseases during lockdown

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to make an assessment of the reported increase in number of deaths from non-COVID-19-related diseases during the lockdown period...

Created by Brian Whittle (South Scotland, Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)

Scottish MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people with severe heart valve disease have access to minimally-invasive treatment that can reduce time spent in hospitals to help reduce their exposure to COVID-19 …

Created by Els van Hoof (CD&V)

Question to Federal Minister of Health Maggie de Block

Structural heart disease is a growing problem in Belgium. It is currently estimated that 240,000 Belgians suffer from structural heart disease and almost half a million people are expected to be affected by these diseases by 2040 …

Created by SHD Coalition

Italian institutions, clinical experts and scientific societies together to set best standards for tackling Structural Heart Disease

A high-level meeting called ‘Active ageing: new balance and priorities in a changing society’ took place in Rome at the Ministry of Health on 23rd November 2019 to focus on Structural Heart Disease...

Created by SHD Coalition

Roundtable on the good management of structural heart diseases as the key to ageing well takes place in France

On October 1st, 2019, an event dedicated to structural heart disease and active ageing took place in the National Assembly...

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Lombardia regional parliament endorses Italian ONDA foundation’s initiative for a joint engagement in fostering active ageing as a key trump to tackling Structural Heart Diseases

ONDA Foundation organized a Regional event on Structural Heart Diseases ‘To the heart of Active Ageing in Milan on 18th September 2019 under the auspices of the Lombardia Region...

Created by Paul Farrelly

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the National Implementation Framework of the NHS Long Term Plan facilitates delivery of (a) improved equity in access to treatment for...

Created by SHD Coalition

EXPERTS COME TOGETHER TO PRIORITIZE STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASE IN SPAIN

During a Roundtable held by the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute at the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo, several experts discussed the current …

Created by Paul Farrelly

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on less invasive treatments for Structural Heart Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure equitable access to less invasive treatments for structural heart diseases throughout the regions of England.

Created by Paul Farrelly

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on Structural Heart Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a national screening programme for structural heart diseases.

Created by MP Bernard Perrut

French MP submits parliamentary question regarding the management of people suffering from structural heart disease

In July 2019, French MP Bernard Perrut (Les Républicains, Rhône) interrogated the Minister of Solidarity and Health about the care of people suffering from structural heart disease...

Created by Virendra Sharma

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Disease Screening Programmes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of heart disease screening programmes for the elderly on (a) the incidence of preventable disease and (b) NHS costs.

Created by Virendra Sharma

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of preventable deaths caused by heart disease; and whether he has made an assessment of whether improving screening for older …

Created by Jonathan Ashworth

UK MP submits Parliamentary Question on Heart Valve Disease

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the early detection of heart valve disease in primary care settings; and what assessment he has made of trends in the level of stethoscope usage …

Editorial on ‘Sanità24 – Sole24Ore’ regarding Structural Heart Disease & MEP Sandra Gancia

MEP Sandra Gancia spoke out on SHD and the relevance of this issue in the framework of healthcare and social policies in...

Created by Virendra Sharma

UK MP underlines the need to introduce national population screening for Structural Heart Disease

That this House notes the urgent need to introduce a national population screening for structural heart diseases for adults over 65 years old; recognises the need to tackle challenges that structural heart diseases pose to older people and …

Created by SHD Coalition

Editorial on ‘Sanità24 – Sole24Ore’ regarding Structural Heart Disease & MEP Brando Benifei

MEP Brando Benifei urges for EU Member States Joint Action to tackle SHD and foster active ageing: a new balance and new priorities are set for a rapidly changing society...

Created by SHD Coalition

MEP submits Parliamentary Question on Structural Heart Disease

What is the Commission’s view on making screening for structural heart disease and other age-related conditions part of the EU Health Programme?

Created by SHD Coalition

MEP submits Parliamentary Question on the need for a Joint Action on SHD

By 2020, 20% of the EU’s population will be aged over 65, and by 2040 that number will have increased to almost 30%. EU Member States will have to adapt their economic and social structures to cope with the increase …

Created by SHD Coalition

The Manifesto for a Healthier Europe’ published by ‘Corriere della Sera Salute’

On 21 November 2018, a cover story was published by the Cortriere della Sera Salute regarding the need for a better quality of life and a healthy active ageing are not only achievable but a must-reach-for imperative and a main goal for EU...