Welcome to the European Parliamentary Research Service podcasts.

In this podcast, we'll look at the benefits for EU citizens from more EU action in the health sector to ensure that it can stand up better to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

In its latest study, the cost of non-Europe in an age of global challenges, the European Parliament

finds that more EU action in 50 policy areas could bring large gains to society. Want to know more?

Stay with us.

European integration has been a key driver of growth, peace and social prosperity,

but challenges remain and crises could arise.

Further European integration can help respond to present and future challenges

and generate benefits of over €2.8 trillion per year by 2032.

Now, in this podcast, we'll focus on the potential benefits

in the health area. In theory, the role of the EU in public health policy is only a

supporting and coordinating one. But the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there is room and demand

for more.

Over the past two years, the EU has played a key role in coordinating cross-border healthcare measures,

ensuring that patients and doctors could be transferred to hospitals in neighbouring countries

in supporting the speedy development of safe COVID vaccines and the joint purchase of medical equipment and affordable vaccines for all Europeans.

And this has not gone unnoticed among citizens.

In November 2022, about one in three Europeans believed healthcare

to be the number one task of European institutions, ahead of economic

recovery or fighting climate change.

So what could be achieved through more ambitious, common EU action in this field?

Well, according to the Parliament study, it's in the areas of prevention and procurement

...