Belgium - SHD Coalition |SHD Coalition

Belgium

May 22, 2024

Manifesto release: building a healthier belgium through early detection of structural heart diseases

As we strive towards a stronger, healthier, and more equitable Belgium, the EU Structural Heart Disease Coalition (SHD Coalition) is... View Article

January 18, 2024

The Belgian Presidency’s Health Priorities: A framework to combat structural heart disease

Starting in January 2024, Belgium will take on the position of the Council Presidency for six months, acting as head... View Article

January 3, 2024

EVENT REPORT Equal Hearts: Addressing Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Europe

On October 23, 2022, a significant event on cardiovascular health disparities in Europe was hosted by MEP Brando Benifei at... View Article

July 18, 2023

THE EU SHD COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS FOR ITS THIRD QUARTERLY MEETING IN BRUSSELS

On 13 July, the EU SHD Coalition Steering Committee met in Brussels for its third quarterly meeting. This meeting, held... View Article

June 9, 2023

‘The Need for a Comprehensive Health Plan for Belgium’

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the most significant health burdens on the Belgian population today and should be addressed... View Article

June 30, 2022

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. Dr. Christophe Dubois.

February 3, 2021

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 …

January 20, 2021

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 …

May 25, 2020

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 …

April 1, 2020

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 …

Question to Federal Minister of Health Maggie de Block

Estimated number of people with SHD in the EU

Proportional growth of +65

Key facts related to SHD in Belgium

In 2015 Belgium spent 2,421 billion € on Cardiovascular diseases¹

In 2016, the old-age dependency ratio was 25,3%, it will rise to 38 % by 2040²

With 45 % Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Belgium³

Key messages

By 2040, nearly one in four people in Belgium will be over 65 years.
Structural Heart Diseases are a major cause of functional decline in the elderly population and as such, Belgian policies must tackle SHDs as part of ageing strategies.
Investments in health innovations for this population are an economic necessity for Belgium to adapt to the new demographic challenges.
Investing in technologies that can keep seniors out of hospital and having an active engagement in society will help to solve this issue.

References

Ehnheart.org. (2017). European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2017 edition. [online] Available at: http://www.ehnheart.org/images/CVD-statistics-report-August-2017.pdf [Accessed 2 Dec. 2019].
Vandresse, M. (2017). Perspectives démographiques 2016-2060 Population et ménages. [online] Statbel.fgov.be. Available at: http://statbel.fgov.be/sites/default/files/files/documents/bevolking/5.8%20Bevolkingsvooruitzichten/bestanden/FOR_POP1660_11440_F%20print.pdf [Accessed 2 Dec. 2019].
Ligue Cardiologique Belge. (2019). La ligue cardiologique belge – Ligue Cardiologique Belge. [online] Available at: https://liguecardioliga.be/ [Accessed 2 Dec. 2019].